by Amrit K.D Kaur Singh

In a composition and format that is in keeping with the 'Durbar' or Court scenes of Imperial Mughal miniatures, this painting depicts the social gathering of friends and acquaintances at Little Castle, Lesmahagow. Among those gathered, are member of the local Scottish Swiss community who were invited to the castle on the occasion of the formal visit of the Swiss Ambassador of London.

The Sikh gentleman who stands (top right) with a microphone in his hand, is a Canadian guest - a writer for the Toronto Star, who featured Lord Iqbal Singh in one of his columns. He represents the growing celebrity status of Lord Iqbal Singh and the global media interest which he has received as a patron of Scottish heritage and promoter of Scottish Sikh relations. His formal Scottish dress which includes a kilt made from the 'Singh Tartan', symbolises how Sikhs world wide have come to affiliate themselves with this Tartan as a modern expression of Sikh identity and pride. Just as the traditional miniature painters sometimes included themselves within the scenes they recorded, this painting includes the Singh Twins who are clearly identified bottom left, holding the tools of their profession - a camera and a paint brush.

As an appropriate documentation of the history of the making of the Iqbalnama series, Mrs Guest, whose concept the commission was, is also shown as an intrigued observer to the events which are taking place around her. Lady Iqbal Singh provides a key focus within the composition. She sits in a throne like chair, dressed in a pink silk sari and tiara that lend a refined dignity to the occasion. The traditional entertainer at the Indian Court (the courtesan or nautch girl) is replaced here with a Scottish dancer of Asian descent who represents mutual respect in the meeting of East and West within our multicultural society.

Meanwhile, in the scene bottom left, the artists' father is invited by Lord Iqbal Singh to plant a tree in his grounds. Beyond recording a personal memory of the artists' visit to Little Castle, the 'Planting Ceremony' (as it is called) represents something of a tradition which is extended to Lord Iqbal Singh's visitors as a mark of hospitality and friendship. Like other objects and furnishings within the painting, the imposing gold mirror which forms a central point for the symmetrical composition of the work, actually exists at Little Castle. Its historical importance as an object once owned by Lord Hamilton is alluded to by the Hamilton monument outside the window - a familiar landmark on the outskirts of Glasgow and all that remains of the stately home where the mirror once hung.

On one side of the mirror is a portrait of Maharaja Dalip Singh who, as the son of the great Sikh Ruler Ranjit Singh, is a reminder of the long tradition of nobility within Sikh history. On the other side is a painting of Dalip Singh's daughter, Princess Bamba Dalip Singh (later Mrs Sutherland) whom Lord Iqbal Singh recalls as having been privileged to meet. The decorative frames around both portraits, copy the patterned border of a stunning Islamic ceramic tile panel which was restored and is now housed by the Royal Museum of Scotland as part of its Asian collections. This decorative element therefore makes a connection between the Museum's past history of interest in the art forms of what might once have been regarded as 'other cultures' but which are now recognised as constituting an integral part of Scottish heritage in a contemporary Scotland defined by diverse cultures - for which the Iqbalnama Series represents just one, but important facet.

To go on display in 2011

Image:© The Singh Twins