Bhai Gian Singh Nikkash (1883 – 1953), son of Bhai Taba Singh, was born at Amritsar. At a very early age, he started learning the art of sculpture and engraving from Bhai Nihal Singh and Bhai Jawahar Singh (both of them had done engraving at Darbar Sahib). Bhai Gian Singh spent 33 years of his life doing work as engraver at Darbar Sahib. He was an expert of the Sikh art. His engravings and paintings present very minute details of the Sikh culture. Bhai Gian Singh was probably the last engraver of the Sikh art. One of his works is displayed in the Folk Art Museum in California (U.S.A.). The great work of art, done by him in the Darbar Sahib Amritsar, preserves his memory. As a man, he was a saintly person. He had well read several works about the history of the Sikhs. Bhai Gian Singh produced some books too, including Nikkashi Darpan, Nikkashi Art Sikhiya, Taj-e-Zargari etc. Bhai Gian Singh had three sons; the eldest Bhai Sunder Singh was killed by General Dyer, on April 13, 1919 and the youngest Bhai G. S. Sohan Singh too became a famous artist.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)