The Sikh world and the world of art mourn the passing of Jarnail Singh, a visionary artist who immortalised Punjabi heritage on canvas. His works, showcased in exhibitions like Discovering the Soul of Punjab and The Story of Sikhism mural series, preserve the forgotten traditions of our ancestors. A humble maestro, his legacy lives on in every brushstroke—an enduring tribute to the land and people he so passionately portrayed. Gurleen Kaur, a budding artist and arts history student at the University of Alberta and associate of The World Sikh News pays a heartfelt tribute to the departed soul.

The art world dims with the passing of Jarnail Singh, a humble artist who painted the soul of Punjab onto canvas. Introduced to him by WSN editor Jagmohan Singh, I had the privilege of meeting Jarnail Singh at his Surrey studio four years ago.

His humility was as striking as his masterpieces. Despite global acclaim, with exhibitions like “Jarnail Singh – Discovering the Soul of Punjab” at Surrey Art Gallery in 2004 and the “Story of Sikhism” mural series at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Surrey, he remained profoundly grounded.

Following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Kirpal Singh, who too was an acclaimed artist,  he, too, brought Punjabi history, culture, and ethos to life on canvas, preserving the region’s rich heritage through his art.

His works, showcased in venues such as the Harrison Arts Festival and the Reach Gallery and Museum in Abbotsford, stand as testaments to his dedication to preserving Punjabi culture. Through his art, he immortalized our heritage, ensuring that the tales of our ancestors resonate with future generations.

 

As you can see in his interaction with me in the video, he was so polite and gentle. He humbly told me, and those words echo in my mind: “I wanted to tell the stories of people through my paintings, the pictures they can relate to.”

Jarnail Singh did not confine his artistic journey to Punjab; he painted extensively in Canada, making Vancouver his second home, though he ultimately passed away in Chandigarh. Among his most epic works is a two-part mural at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Surrey, BC, Canada, depicting seminal moments from the era of the ten Sikh Gurus, a testament to his deep connection with Sikh heritage across continents.

Acclaimed author and novelist Simrita Dhir of the University of California, in her tribute, so beautifully paints the life of Jarnail Singh, saying, “Some of my favorite Jarnail Singh paintings present Punjabi women dressed in traditional attire, standing by the village well, or embroidering phulkaris; carrying water in copper vessels; picking cotton in fields; dancing at festivals like Vaisaikhi, or simply gazing outward in anticipation of something or someone. I can never have my fill of admiring his paintings, so layered with meaning and life as they are, telling riveting rural Punjabi tales with extraordinary sensitivity. Through his work, he instilled in every Punjabi a deep sense of pride, purpose, and belonging. The news of his death today is unnerving.”

Jarnail Singh prophetically said, “Painting for me is a process of infinite happiness and joy. It is impossible to describe and define this process. There is a mixture of feelings, imagination, craft, and many more elements that cannot be defined nor explained. Painting for me is meditation. Painting for me is prayer.”

For more than three decades,  Jarnail Singh poured his soul into his art, bringing Sikh history and Punjabi traditions to life with every brushstroke.  Significantly, he was admired by leftists, socialists and Sikh religious followers. He had befriended many an artist from the world of art in Canada and participated in joint ventures, discussions and the future of art in the current fast paced worldly life.

Inspired by him, I ventured to repaint one of his famous works, though, sadly, I did not get the opportunity to show him. I regret that I could not meet him again.  I even attempted to copy a painting of a Punjabi lady by his wife Baljit Kaur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though he is no longer with us, his art remains—bridging generations, crossing borders, and opening conversations that remind us of our shared history and humanity. May his legacy continue to inspire, unite, and keep our roots alive, wherever we are in the world.

Jarnail Singh’s legacy is not just in the art he created but in the cultural tapestry he enriched. He will be deeply missed by the Sikh community and all who cherish art.