e

Arts
They revel in being one

Artists Rabindra and Amrit Singh, better known as the Singh Twins, might be inspired by the miniature tradition of Indian art but their works reflect the modern reality of a complex world
Nonika Singh

So here they are — Mirror images of each other, Rabindra and Amrit Singh, famously known as The Singh Twins. An unusual jugalbandi rarely seen in the realm of visual arts, they revel in being one. So the twins live, breathe, eat and guess what even paint together as one artist. The decision to paint collectively lies in their childhood years of growing up in the UK where even being twins was considered an anomaly, if not an outright abnormality.

So if, as children, they were made to feel like an oddity in a culture that lays undue emphasis on individuality, during college days they were frowned upon for harking back to the Indian tradition. But not only did they stick to their guns, firm in their belief that an artist needs to be true to oneself but also consistently went on to create a body of works, rooted in tradition yet speaking in the language of new reality. Today the duo known for their individualistic style inspired by Indian miniature and world aesthetics stand vindicated. More recently, they received the Member of the Order of the British Empire from the Queen for their services to the Indian miniature tradition.

The affair with Indian miniature art began during their Discover India trip. One look at the miniature of Mughal emperor Jehangir and they immediately knew they had found their inspiration. No they have nothing against western styles. But since they are enamoured by ornamental art, classical and renaissance period is what holds their attention. In fact, they borrow heavily from all world traditions.

While growing up in a Sikh family, they were taught to realise that all religions lead to the same goal. However, they also understand that cultural differences and traditions do vary. Since their works are replete with symbolic imagery, research is crucial to their works, often involving months of diligent hard work.

On how they arrive at a working formula, well there are no fixed rules. The division of labour changes with each project. Often one does the research and other executes the theme, at another time, they split the painting half and half. Yet, at another point, as in the series on five natural elements, the planning could be more systematic and the number of paintings divided between the two sisters. Separated just once, on a perfect wavelength, they rarely disagree not even to agree for they are anyway in consonance 99.9 per cent of the times.

While ideas stem from cultural prejudices they have experienced, they are constantly responding to the cultural milieu around them. In "Zero to Hero" taking from the sports icon David Beckham, they examine the relationship of sports, media and megabucks. Often the political situations too trigger their creative process. Back in time, they made a contemporary rendering of the17th century Mughal miniature and dared to mock at Margaret Thatcher and Ronal Reagan. Later, Tony Blair and George Bush came under their circle of censure and the work was titled "Partners in Crime: Deception and Lies." How they would love to do the same to Indian politicians and tongue-in- cheek they quip, "We will get there." One of their prestigious projects was on Indian perspective on mutiny. They chorus, "Life has come full circle. If British presence in India has impacted the Indian way of life, today the Indian community is influencing British culture as much. So much so that Mehndi and Bhangra music have become a part of mainstream Britain."

Indian art and artists, however, they are candid enough to admit need to make a greater impact. Of course, they have more buyers in the West. But more often than not they create especially for India. For Gallerr Navya’s exhibit at India Art Fair they made works on elements of nature. Among the Indian themes they are working on includes a commissioned work on Maharaja Duleep Singh. Also on the anvil is an animated project on Delhi for which they need funding. Money, however, is certainly not their driving force. No wonder, they wouldn’t sell their work on the cataclysmic events of 1984 even for a million pounds. Amrit says, "It’s not always about money."

But then artists whose own works by self-confession are a snapshot of materialism of the world are hardly likely to be swept by its forces. In fact rock solid, they stand challenging not just the West is Best notion but also stereotypes that pervade and plague the world. Yet in their own beautiful way, with their mesmerising paintings, these British Indian artists also act as a bridge East and West.

HOME