Raja Ravi Varma

Introduction

Raja Ravi Varma was a highly skilled and renowned Indian painter who gained immense recognition for his exceptional talent. His family was creative, so it seemed natural that he would pursue painting as a career. Raja Ravi Varma learned from other artists and became really good at painting scenes from Indian stories like Mahabharata and Ramayana.

He made himself special by mixing Indian traditions with European techniques to create a new kind of painting in India. He also painted pictures of traditional Indian art. People really liked his paintings because they showed how great India used to be. He won lots of awards for his paintings, and they were shown in big art shows all over the world.

About Raja Ravi Varma

• Name: Raja Ravi Varma
• Birth Place: Kilimanoor, Travancore (present-day Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
• Date of Birth: April 29, 1848
• Death of Place: Attingal, Travancore, British Raj
• Died: October 2, 1906 (aged 58)
• Wife's Name: Pururuttathi Nal Bhageerathi
• Father's Name: Neelakanthan Bhattatiripad
• Mother's Name: Umamba Thampuratti
• Also Known As: Koili Thampuran of Kilimanoor, Ravi Varma Koil Thampuran
• Profession: Artist, Painter
• Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Childhood and Early Life

Raja Ravi Varma was born on April 29, 1848, in a place called Kilimanoor in Kerala. His mom's name was Uma Ambabayi Thampurratti, and his dad's name was Ezhumavil Neelakanthan Bhattatiripad. His dad knew a lot about traditional medicine and an ancient language called Sanskrit, while his mom liked to write stories. His three siblings were Raja Varma, Goda Varma, and Mangala Bayi. Being the youngest member of a creative family that included intellectuals, poets, and painters, it was only fitting that young Varma should be gifted with artistic creativity.

He showed an interest in painting at the age of seven. He eventually decorated the walls of his home with everything he encountered in his daily life, including images of animals and commonplace actions and scenarios, which demonstrated his creative sensibility and inventiveness.

Although Young Varma's family disliked his behavior, Raja Ravi Varma's uncle, a Tanjore artist, recognized his true abilities and purpose in life. He decided to use the little child's creativity to help him become a skilled artist.

With the assistance of his uncle, Ayilyam Thirunal, the ruling monarch, he received training and education in the arts. He also received his first sketching instruction from his uncle. He relocated to Thiruvananthapuram when he was 14 years old, where he studied water painting under royal painter Rama Swamy Naidu.

Later in Life

He remained at the Kilimanoor Palace's Moodath Madam home in Thiruvananthapuram. His skill was nurtured and supported in Kilimanoor Palace by Ayilyam Thirunal, who also gave him exposure to well-known works by Western and Italian artists.

Throughout, he chose to use locally produced paints created from leaves, flowers, tree bark, and dirt rather than utilizing standard paints. He traveled to Madras to buy his first set of oil paints after seeing an ad in a newspaper. In those days, oil painting was a new medium, and the only person in Travancore who knew how to paint with oil was Madurai's Ramaswamy Naicker.

However, he declined to instruct Varma in oil painting because he considered him to be a possible rival. Then, much against the wishes of his teacher, Naicker's student Arumugham Pillai decided to teach him the complex techniques of oil painting on his own. Theodor Jenson, a Dutch portrait painter who had been over to paint the picture of Ayilyam Thirunal and his wife, then added some more details to this knowledge.

After much trial and error, he eventually mastered the techniques of oil painting, which included combining colors, mixing them in an adaptable medium, smoothly navigating through the strokes, and giving the color time to dry. It's interesting to note that his painting of the royal pair, Ayilyam Thirunal and his wife greatly outperformed the Dutch artist's, demonstrating his genuine talent and creativity.

His artistic inspiration came from a wide range of sources, including the music of seasoned vocalists, Kathakali dancers, and artistic interpretations of epics and manuscripts belonging to old families. He continued his creativity with the lessons of the Dutch painter and advice from Arumugham Pillai.

He established a strong name for himself as a portrait painter between 1870 and 1878 by completing many portraits of prominent Indian nobility and British officials. His subject-specific sensitivity and the skill with which he accomplished it set him apart from other artists.

This talented painter, who took first place in the Madras Painting show, began a profitable new chapter in his career in 1873. It was only the start of his career as an Indian painter, as the same year, he became a globally renowned artist after winning the prestigious first place at the Vienna show.

His paintings were brought to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago because of his extraordinary rise in popularity.

The majority of his paintings depict narratives from religious books and manuscripts, as well as legendary figures from the epics. His early paintings portrayed the fundamental components of Tanjore's painting, which consisted of portraying the feminine feeling on canvas.

Throughout his career, he traveled throughout India in quest of subjects that would captivate his interest rather than limiting himself to painting just one or two subjects. Scenes from holy writings greatly inspired him, but he was equally in admiration of the beauty of South Indian ladies.

In 1894, he established the Ravi Varma Pictures Depot, a lithographic printing factory, to produce his paintings in large quantities with the intention of introducing Indians to the arts. Five years later, he moved the Press to Malavli, which is close to Lonavala, from Ghatkopar. His brother managed most press tasks. A German technician bought it in 1901.

Personal Life and Legacy

He promised to marry Pururuttathi Nal Bhageerathi, who came from a royal family. They had five children: two boys and three girls. Sadly, he died when he was 58 years old in a town called Kilimanoor on October 5, 1906. His family kept the artistic tradition alive, and his second son, Rama Varma, went to JJ School of Arts to learn more about art. Still, his daughters provided him with inspiration for his paintings and carried on his creative legacy via their children and grandchildren.

Owing to his significant artistic contribution, the Keralan government established the Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram Award, which is granted to artists each year for their contributions to art and culture.

Honors and Accomplishments

• In Vienna, where his paintings were displayed, he was awarded an honor at the start of his career in 1873.
• Three gold medals were given to him for his artwork during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
• He received the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal in 1904 from Viceroy Lord Curzon on behalf of King Emperor.
• In his honor, a number of educational facilities, colleges, organizations, and cultural centers have been named, including Mavelikara, Kerala's fine arts college, and Kilimanoor's Raja Ravi Varma High School.

Raja Ravi Varma's Famous Paintings

1. Sri Krishna as Envoy

Raja Ravi Varma created the picture of Sri Krishna as Envoy in 1905. Sri Krishna is seen in this oil painting on canvas, representing the Pandavas as their envoy to the Kaurava Court. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

2. Pleasing

Raja Ravi Varma created the artwork "Pleasing." The wife of the Pandavas, Draupadi, is shown in this picture, expressing disappointment in her fate of having to bring milk and honey to Keechaka's palace. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

3. Expectation

Raja Ravi Varma is the creator of the artwork Expectation. The artist has captured the likeness of an unknown North Indian woman in this artwork. You may see this piece of art in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Kowdiar Palace.

4. The Milkmaid

Raja Ravi Varma created the artwork The Milkmaid in 1904. A girl from a small town in north India is shown in this picturedelivering milk to a house. In Kerala, you can view this image at the Sri Chitra Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram.

5. The Portrait of a Lady

Raja Ravi Varma is the painter of the artwork titled "The Portrait of a Lady." The image appears to show a woman, but many historians have been unable to identify her. This artwork is also considered to be among Raja Ravi Varma's best-known works. In New Delhi, this picture is on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art.

6. Stolen Interview

Raja Ravi Varma created the picture titled "Stolen Interview." One of the greatest paintings suggests a boy paying a visit to a female. The work of art may be shown in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh's Salar Jung Museum.

7. Disappointed

Raja Ravi Varma painted a picture titled "Disappointed." The artist has captured the expression of a sad woman who has opened a letter and received some bad news. In Hyderabad, the Salar Jung Museum is where you can see this painting.

8. Woman Holding a Fruit

Raja Ravi Varma is the painter of the picture Woman Holding a Fruit. An unidentified woman holding a fruit is featured in this artwork. In New Delhi, this picture is on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art.

9. Yashoda With Krishna

Raja Ravi Varma created the picture of Yashoda With Krishna. Raja Ravi Varma's well-known picture features a little Krishna with his adoptive mom, Yesoda. You may see this artwork in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Kowdiar Palace.

10. Jatayu Vadha

In 1906, Raja Ravi Varma, the painter, produced the artwork Jatayu Vadha. In this picture, Jatayu is being killed by Ravana. Jatayu confronted Ravana in order to save Lord Sri Rama's wife, Seetha. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

11. Harischandra in Distress

Raja Ravi Varma created the picture Harischandra in Distress. The artist portrays Harischandra in this picture, saying farewell to his son at an auction following the loss of his kingdom and all of its riches. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

12. Shakuntala

In 1870, Raja Ravi Varma, the painter, produced the painting Shakuntala. It shows Shakuntala, who is supposedly searching for her spouse or lover while attempting to remove a thorn from her foot. The National Art Gallery, Government Museum, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is where you may view this painting.

13. Maharashtrian Lady

Raja Ravi Varma painted an artwork titled The Maharashtrian Lady. The woman in this painting is dressed traditionally as a Maharashtrian lady. You may see this artwork in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Kowdiar Palace.

14. Sri Rama Vanquishing the Sea

Raja Ravi Varma created the artwork Sri Rama Vanquishing the Sea. The artist portrays Varuna, the ocean's ruler, attempting to please Sri Rama. He became angry by the sea's resistance to cooperate and allow Lord Rama to reach Lanka. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

15. Galaxy of Musicians

The painting "Galaxy of Musicians" was created by Raja Ravi Varma. Indian ladies are shown in this painting performing on a range of musical instruments while dressed in traditional costumes. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

16. There Comes Papa

Raja Ravi Varma, an Indian painter, created the picture There Comes Papa sometime in about 1893. Raja Ravi Verma's famous artwork shows his daughter embracing her daughter. Kowdiar Palace in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala, India) is the place where you can view this painting.

17. Lady in the Moon Light

Raja Ravi Varma is the painter who produced the work Lady in the Moon Light sometime in 1889. It is yet another one of the artist's iconic paintings, featuring amazing light effects. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

18. Mother and Child

Raja Ravi Varma created the picture of Mother and Child. This artwork captures a mother's love for her kid uniquely. You may see this artwork in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Kowdiar Palace.

19. Sri Krishna Liberating His Parents

Raja Ravi Varma painted Sri Krishna Liberating His Parents, depicting Krishna freeing his parents from jail alongside his brother Balarama. You can see this picture in the Sri Jayachama Rajendra Art Gallery. It's inside a beautiful palace called Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.