Raja Ravi Varma

The first true copy of the painting Indulekha by Raja Ravi Varma will be unveiled at Kilimanoor Palace, Kerala.

About Raja Ravi Varma:

• Raja Ravi Varma was born in 1848 in the Kilimanoor palace in Travancore, Kerala.

Artistic Contributions and Style:

• Raja Ravi Varma was a major influence in modern Indian art and is celebrated as one of the greatest painters in Indian history.
• He introduced a blend of Western techniques and traditional Indian themes.
• His paintings often featured mythological and historical subjects that emphasized Indian identity.
• His innovative style merged European academic art with Indian elements.
• He was a pioneer in the use of oil paints and adapted Western techniques of perspective and composition to Indian subjects.
• Among his famous works are “Damayanti Talking to a Swan,” “Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta,” and “Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair.”

Nationalist Influence and Accessibility:

• Varma’s art played a pivotal role in India’s nationalist movement.
• He depicted iconic figures like Goddess Bhawani and Shivaji to foster unity and resistance against colonial rule.
• He was proficient in producing lithographs, which allowed his artwork to reach a wider audience and increased his impact significantly.
• Over his lifetime, he created approximately 7,000 paintings and passed away at the age of 58.

Awards and Recognition:

• Raja Ravi Varma earned international recognition, winning two gold medals at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, and the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal in 1904.

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