Trilok Singh Chitarkar (1914-1990) was a versatile Indian painter. He has unique style of presenting himself through variety of themes - Sikh religion, history, culture, folk lore, love legends, portraits, social evils, nature, illustration of Gurbani, Shabads, visuals in Punjabi Encyclopedia and books. He was well versed with deep knowledge of Gurbani, history and religion. He knew many languages i.e. Gurmukhi, Punjabi, Hindi, English, Urdu, Persian, Assamese and Bengali. He translated articles from Bengali to Punjabi and published these in the book titled Bangla De Daab in 1974. The Artist was honoured in 1973 by the Chief Minister, Punjab,India Giani Zail Singh at a state level function organised at his residence, Chitralok, Patiala. Language department, Punjab published a book in Punjabi-Chitralok's Contribution to Art and released on the 70th birthday of the artist, 10 December 1984 at a special function organised in Central Library at Patiala for his contribution to Art. He is the first Punjabi Artist on whose works Ph.D. degree Art of Trilok Singh was awarded by Punjabi University, Patiala. A Gold medal has been established in the name of the artist and it is awarded to the topper of M.A. Fine Arts. He was appointed as a State Artist in erstwhile PEPSU state of Punjab in 1948 and later worked as Artist in Department of Languages, Punjab. He lived and worked all over India and spent last years of his life in Patiala town in Punjab state in India.
Biography
Early life
Trilok Singh was born in village Jartauli, District Ludhiana to father Gurdit Singh and mother Daya Kaur. He was married to Harbans Kaur and has one daughter and three sons.
His father was a civil engineer by profession, who worked in the Uganda Railway, Cape Government Railways, South African Republic and then in East Bengal Railways at Assam. His mother passed away during his childhood and he spent his childhood in Jartauli under the supervision of his grandfather Baba Daya Singh.His grandfather's knowledge of Gurbani was a boon and blessing for him beyond limits. The artist always felt that his success in life and art is only due to good training, blessing, motivation of his grandfather. He was studying in 10th class in a school at Kila Raipur, District Ludhiana when his grandfather died.
Education and training
In 1930, his father took him to Assam and gave him the responsibility to prepare land for agriculture purpose. He lived in Punjabi Basti in Lanka, District Nawgong, Assam. The natural beauty of Assam attracted him. In his free time he enjoyed drawing the nature. His creative genius arose from within and he start drawing and painting. His father thought of famous Artist S.G. Thakur Singh who was in Calcutta at that time. His father sent drawings to the artist to know whether his son would be successful in the field of art. On getting positive response. His father sent him to Calcutta in 1931 to take further professional guidance in art. He started working hard to learn. Once when Artist S.G. Thakur Singh came to know that his father has sent him money, he scolded him and advised him saying he has no right to ask for money from his father, rather he should earn money and send to his father.
Painting career
In 1932, the artist set up Trilok Studio Arts (TSA) and named it Trilok Shilpa Asthan and on other side a car paint workshop situated at 7, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road in Calcutta. Shortly, it became very popular. He often spent time with Punjabi poets, writers and Bengali artists. The first biographical detail of Trilok Singh was published in 1932 in a monthly Punjabi magazine of Calcutta Pulwari by the editor Heera Singh Dard. He got silver medal for his painting in All India Ramgharia Federation, Kharagpur, Bengal in 1932. Next year, he participated in an exhibition of All India Fine Arts Association held in Calcutta. Picture of two famous Sikh artists Trilok Singh and S.G. Thakur Singh was published in special edition of Punjabi newspaper Desh Darpan, Calcutta on 11 January 1935 page 36.