Trilok Singh Artist - In Shillong

In 1941, his father died and he had to go to his village ‘Punjabi Basti’, Lanka, District NowGong, Assam to look after his agricultural land. This time he had to spend quite a long time there and he went through many experiences and experiments. Suddenly, his eldest son Surjit Singh fell very ill and doctor advised him to take his son to Shillong for a change of climate. It was a very hard time for Trilok Singh. He took his son to Shillong for treatment. He stayed there in a Gurdwara. The health of his son was deteriorating day by day. He thought of taking him to Calcutta for better treatment.

He was so worried about his son’s health and the finances that were required for his treatment. As he had a very firm faith in God, he was reciting Gurbani day and night. He knew only God will help him at this time of worry and pain. The words from Holy scripts were always in his mind. One night while reciting these words of Gurbani “ fi;e/ f;o T[gfo s{z ;[nkwh ;' d[Zy e?;k gkt?HHHHHH.”( one who has blessing of God never go to difficult times…). He went to sleep. That very night he saw Guru Nanak Dev in his dream.

He became so hopeful. Next Morning, the head of the Gurudwara Bhai, S. Nagina Singh helped him to get his son admitted in The Khasi Hills Welish Mission Hospital(Present Hospital name Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital), Shillong, Assam.Dr H Gordon Roberts, CMO and Robert Arther Hughes looked after him. With God's Grace, his son started recovering day by day.

At Shillong, to meet medical expenses of his son, he started going to militarybase, prepared pencil sketches, portraits of soldiers, took photographs and developed in box camera fitted on his bicycle.

The Artist prepared one painting depicting Jesus Christ blessing the hospital and gifted it to the Hospitalon Christmas, when his son recovered. Dr H.Gorton Roberts sent a letter of appreciation.

Ref.no.239 29th December, 1941
Dear Mr. Trilok Singh,
Since I had the pleasure of receiving the gift, which you handed overon Christmas day. I have been able to study the painting more carefully. We all appreciate very greatly not only the beautiful gift but also the exceeding kindness which has inspired it. You have portrayed so beautifully on canvas, the work of the Hospital seeks to do and we are much moved by all that the picture reveals.

With renewed and warmest thanks and sharing with you the great satisfaction that you feels at your child's recovery.

Yours Sincerely,
Dr. H.G.Roberts
Welsh Presbyterian Mission

This was the time when Gyani Gian Singh “Aaraf” who was the preacher “Garanthi” of Gurudwara motivated him to make a painting on ‘The full life history of Guru Nanak Dev’. Later on, this painting became one of his masterpieces. After carrying out study about the history of Guru Khalsa, Trilok Singh picked up his canvas and brushes, he recited the lines “ nkg BkokfJD ebkXkfo ir wkfj gotfo :T.fBozekoh nkeko I'fs ir wzfvb efo :T..”. He ran Art and Photography studio "Navrang" in Shillong for two years. He was blessed with second child , a daughter- Jagdish kaur.

The entire picture is in the language of symbolism. The glimpses from Guru Nanak Dev’s life have been shown in nineteen stars. The depiction of such a composition was never done before. He completed this painting in 1944.