With the backdrop of the Himalayas forming the perfect environment to spark creativity, it is no wonder that Andretta is the place to go for art lovers everywhere. This “village of Himachal” is also a “village of artists” at the base of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. It is a place that attracts talent of various forms and allows them to flourish. Let’s explore the hidden mystery of this artist haven in Himachal:

The Artistic Past of the Village of Andretta

Norah Richard’s Stage:

This scenic village was found in the 1920s by the acclaimed theatre artist Norah Richards. After the death of her husband, she made the trip to the hills and came upon this gem. Amid the greenery, she made a house out of mud and bamboo using traditional methods and named it “Chameli Niwas”.   Soon she built a theatre stage and invited many other professionals from the nearby regions of Punjab and Lahore to Andretta to perform. 

The village soon started attracting various other artists from different fields such as painters, pottery artists, sculptors and actors. Notable personalities who frequented the village included actor Prithviraj Kapoor, Freda Bedi, the mother of actor Kabir Bedi, painter Sobha Singh and artist Sardar Gurcharan Singh.

Today, one can still visit Norah’s original house Chameli Niwas in all its glory. On her birthday, art and theatre students perform Punjabi plays at her house every year. The theatre stage that is a construction by Norah is also still in use by university students.

Sobha Singh Art gallery

Sobha Singh was a painter from the Sikh community who created many well-known works of art. His work on the painting of Guru Nanak has made him and his works famous. He lived in Andretta until his death in the 80s.

The Sobha Singh Art Gallery today is a significant art center and an essential part of Punjab’s history and the history of Andretta. The majority of the paintings here are made with western classical oil painting techniques and are influenced by the Kangra style of painting. Sculptures and busts personalities such as M.S. Randhawa, Prithviraj Kapoor, and Nirmal Chandra can be seen at the art gallery. 

Andretta Pottery Studio

Here you will find the legacy of legendary pottery artist Sardar Gurcharan Singh. Originally invited to Andretta by Norah Richards, Gurcharan Singh would influence the art community at the village immensely and establish the craft of Andretta pottery. After receiving a grant from the Government following his recognition as a master pottery artist, he set up a pottery research laboratory. He slowly cemented his position as the father of pottery in India.

Following in his footsteps, his son Mansimran Singh who is known as Minni, and his wife Mary relocated to Andretta permanently and opened the Andretta Pottery Studio. Here they conduct courses and workshops to introduce artisans to the uninitiated to the world of studio pottery.

B.C. Sanyal 

B.C. Sanyal, who died recently at the age of 101, had a lovely mud-brick holiday home in Andretta where he loved to paint, which he called as his art studio. Amba, his daughter, is the director of the Norah Center for the Arts today.

Tea and nature

The high elevation and untarnished landscape make the region around Andretta perfect for tea cultivation. It is a sight to see as the traditional tea cultivation process is still alive and well here. In this location, you may see the entire process of selecting and plucking the best tea leaves.

Andretta is amidst the ethereal grandeur of the Himalayan slopes, nestled between the majestic snow-capped Dhauladhar range and the lush vegetation and bamboo groves of the Shivaliks. Blackberry bushes and bamboo are abundant in Andretta’s lush scenery making it a sight to behold.

Andretta is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Further, there have been sightings of rare and beautiful species including cuckoos, doves and many more!

Lastly, if you want to take the first step towards fulfilling your artistic dreams, visit Andretta in Himachal Pradesh, it is a true artist haven, where inspiration is always just around the corner, be it through the people, stunning scenery, or the chirping birds outside your window every morning.

Follow India Chalk on Instagram for more amazing travel content. You can share your travel story with us. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]ndiachalk[dot]com. This blog is curated by India Chalk and written by Aryaki M.