Raja Ravi Varma

Why in news?

• An unfinished painting by Raja Ravi Varma, who redefined Indian art traditions during the colonial times, will soon be in the public domain.
• The painting ‘Parsi Lady’, now owned by the Kilimanoor Palace Trust, was the last painting (unfinished) by the legendary artist.

About Raja Ravi Varma:

• He was an Indian painter and artist, considered as one of the greatest painters in the history of Indian art.
• Raja Ravi Varma is known for his amazing paintings, which revolve mainly around the Puranas (ancient mythological stories) and the great Indian epics - Mahabharata and Ramayana.
• Ravi Varma is one of the few painters who managed to accomplish a beautiful union of Indian tradition with the techniques of European academic art.
• More often than not, Varma’s paintings highlighted the beauty of South Indian women which were admired by all.
• His portrayal of Hindu gods and goddesses went on to become worship material for many people belonging to the lower castes.
• Viceroy Lord Curzon honored him with the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal for his service in the furtherance of public interest.

His paintings:

• His paintings can be classified into three categories:
  • Portraits
  • Portrait-based compositions
  • Theatrical compositions based on myths and legends.
• It is the third category of paintings for which Raja Ravi Varma is most renowned.
• Great Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma includes:
  • A Family of Beggars – This painting represented the sorry state of Indian economics.
  • A Lady Playing Swarbat – Just like many of his paintings, this too, was modelled after a South Indian woman.
  • Arjuna and Subhadra – This painting narrates a story from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
  • Damayanti Talking to a Swan, Draupadi Dreading to meet Kichaka, Girl in Sage Kanwa's Hermitage (Rishi-Kanya), Jatayu etc

Add ons:

• The Bengal school of art of originated in early 20^th century was critical of Raja Ravi Varma’s style of painting.
  • The movement arose as an avant garde and nationalist movement reacting against the academic art styles previously promoted in India, both by Indian artists such as Raja Ravi Varma and in British art schools.
  • It was associated with Indian nationalism (swadeshi) and led by Abanindranath Tagore.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Raja Ravi Varma’:

1.He accomplish a union of Indian tradition with the techniques of European academic art

2. He was a great proponent of Bengal School of Art

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer