Meet Raja Ravi Varma, Helped Indians Bring Their Gods Home, Made Masterpiece Worth 2.6 Million USD

Raja Ravi Varma, popularly known as the ‘Father of Modern Indian Art’, was one of the most renowned and influential painters of the 19th century. Born on April 29, 1848, in Kilimanoor, Travancore, Ravi Varma had an artistic lineage and belonged to an aristocratic family.  While his father was a respected scholar, his mother was a popular poet.

Raja Ravi Varma’s works are exemplary of the fusion of modern art with Indian iconography. The ace painter gained popularity for his religious depictions of Hindu Gods and acclaimed characters from Indian poetry and the Puranas. Ravi Varma was closely related to the royal family of Travancore, and the title of Raja was conferred on him by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Raja Ravi Varma was the first artist to depict Hindu Gods in human features

Raja Ravi Varma was inclined towards art from a very young age. As a child, he would often sketch on the walls with charcoal. His uncle, Raja Raja Varma, introduced him to the royal court of Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal. He learned to paint with watercolours from the palace painter, Rama Swamy Naidu. Later, Dutch artist Theodor Jenson’s oil painting technique fascinated him.

By the age of 22, Ravi Varma had become a master in his own right, without any formal training. He blended both Indian art with Italian Renaissance and created masterpieces. One of his groundbreaking contributions was depicting Hindu Gods and deities with human features.

He brought the Hindu Gods, which were restricted in the temples, to people’s home through his paintings. This helped the lower castes connect with the deity, who were otherwise denied access to temples.

Raja Ravi Varma launched India’s first lithographic press

In 1894, Raja Ravi Varma brought a revolution in India’s artistic sphere by setting up India’s first lithographic press, Raja Ravi Varma Press in Mumbai. The printed version of his painting distributed his work and set a new standard. Ravi Varma’s art, which was earlier confided to only the elite class was made available for middle and upper middle class through his press. This helped people from all walks of life bring the Hindu deities to their homes. This process gave birth to ‘calendar art’.

Raja Ravi Varma faced criticism for the portrayal of women in his art

Despite being one of the most sought-after artists, Ravi Varma faced numerous criticisms in his career. He was criticised for his representing Gods in humanised form. Not only this, his portrayal of a women’s sensuality was also viewed as inappropriate. He was criticised for raising eroticism with his portrayal of women characters in his paintings.

Raja Ravi Varma had a close relationship with the royal family of Baroda

Raja Ravi Varma’s relationship with Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III is significant in shaping his artistic career. In 1881, Ravi Varma was commissioned to paint a portrait of Maharaja Sayajirao III, marking his close relationship with the Gaekwad family. Ravi Varma later created fourteen large-scale paintings for the Dubar Hall of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace.

It was with the financial assistance of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III that Ravi Varma established his Lithographic Press. The maharaja gave him an aid of Rs. 50,000 to set up the press and produce his works as oleographs, making them accessible to public.

Raja Ravi Varma’s most expensive painting was sold for Rs. 20 crores

Raja Ravi Varma’s art was not just restricted to people’s drawing rooms. From Indian cinema, fashion, advertising and even matchboxes represented his labels. The iconic painter passed away on October 2, 1906, and left behind a legacy of over 7000 paintings. His paintings are the most sought-after pieces of art and in 2016, his iconic painting, ‘Radha in the Moonlight’ was sold for Rs. 20 crores, 2.6 million USD approximately.

Raja Ravi Varma is still considered a pioneer figure in literary circles who reshaped Indian art.

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