Raja ravi varma biography template

Indian painter from Kerala (1848–1906)

Raja Ravi Varma (Malayalam:[ɾaːdʒaːɾɐʋiʋɐrm(ː)ɐ]) (29 April 1848 – 2 Oct 1906^[3][4]) was an Indian master and artist. His works program one of the best examples of the fusion of Dweller academic art with a just Indian sensibility and iconography.

Fantastically, he was notable for manufacture affordable lithographs of his paintings available to the public, which greatly enhanced his reach deed influence as a painter come to rest public figure. His lithographs accrued the involvement of common kin with fine arts and characterised artistic tastes among the ordinary people.

Furthermore, his religious depictions of Hindu deities and entirety from Indian epic poetry gift Puranas have received profound commendation. He was part of interpretation royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malappuram district.

Raja Ravi Varma was closely related to ethics royal family of Travancore appropriate present-day Kerala state in Bharat.

Later in his life, bend in half of his granddaughters were adoptive into the royal family, tell their descendants comprise the contemporary royal family of Travancore, counting the latest three Maharajas (Balarama Varma III, Marthanda Varma Tierce and Rama Varma VII).^[5]

Personal life

Raja Ravi Varma was born Lot.

R. Ry. Ravi Varma, Koil Thampuran of Kilimanoor at Kilimanoor palace in the erstwhile liberal state of Travancore (present-day Kerala)^[6] into an aristocratic family put off for over 200 years meet up consorts for the princesses goods the matrilineal Travancore royal parentage. The title Raja was presented as a personal title alongside the Viceroy and Governor-General last part India Lord Curzon.^[6]

Ravi Varma was the son of Ezhumavil Neelakanthan Bhattatiripad and Uma Ambabayi Thampurratti.

His mother Uma Ambabayi Thampuratty belonged to the baronial consanguinity which ruled the Kilimanoor structure estate within the kingdom delightful Travancore. She was a versifier and writer of some aptitude, and her work Parvati Swayamvaram was published by Varma stern her death. Ravi Varma's ecclesiastic was a scholar of Indic and Ayurveda and hailed carry too far the Ernakulam district in Kerala.

Ravi Varma had two siblings, a sister named Mangala Bayi and a brother named Raj Varma (born 1860). The last-named was also a painter avoid worked closely with Ravi Varma all his life.^{[citation needed]}

In 1866, at the age of 18, Varma was married to 12-year-old Bhageerthi Bayi (known formally thanks to Pooruruttati Nal Bhageerathi Bayi Thampuratty) of the royal house invite Mavelikkara, another major fief intelligent Travancore kingdom.

Notably, the boarding house of Mavellikara was a clique of the Royal House rejoice Travancore. Bhageerthi was the youngest of three sisters, and both of her elder sisters esoteric been adopted into the kinglike family of Travancore in 1857 in order to carry assertive the lineage. They were celebrated as the Senior and Immature Rani of Attingal, and clear up their progeny was vested picture succession to the throne a mixture of Travancore.

Therefore, Ravi Varma's finish to the royal family became very close due to rulership marriage with Bhageerthi. His line (because they belonged to their mother's family) would be grand by birth. The marriage, which was arranged by the parents in the proper Indian style, was harmonious and successful. Prestige couple had five children, match up sons, and three daughters.

Their elder son, Kerala Varma (b.1876) was of an excessively transcendental green temperament. He never married prosperous eventually renounced the world, leavetaking home for good in 1912. The younger son, Rama Varma (born 1879), inherited his father's artistic talent and studied habit the JJ School of Bailiwick, Mumbai. He was married line of attack Gowri Kunjamma, sister of DewanPGN Unnithan, and became the curate of seven children.^{[citation needed]}

The twosome daughters of Ravi Varma prosperous Bhageerthi Bayi were Mahaprabha Amma (who features in two prescription Varma's most famous paintings), Uma Amma (named after Varma's mother) and Cheria Kochamma.

In 1900 CE, the Royal House expend Travancore once again faced dialect trig succession crisis. Bhageerthi's two venerable sisters, who had been adoptive in order to carry make progress the lineage, had failed cuddle produce the desired heirs. They had six children between them, but only two of those survived, and both were boys (who also, incidentally, later boring childless).

According to the direct Marumakkathayam system, the succession draw attention to the throne could only going forward through females, and therefore dot was necessary to make mainly adoption. Tradition dictated that shine unsteadily girls belonging to branches answer the Royal Family be adoptive together. They would be categorized the Senior and Junior Ranee of Attingal, and the on to the throne of Travancore would be vested in their progeny, in accordance with distinction unusual and unique Marumakkathayam profile of succession.^{[citation needed]}

Two of Varma's granddaughters were marked by fate to receive this honour, prestige main reason being that they were the nearest matrilineal (cognatic) kin to the incumbent Ranee of Attingal.

In August 1900, Mahaprabha's eldest daughter Lakshmi Bayi (aged 5 years) and Uma's eldest daughter Parvati Bayi (aged 4 years) were adopted penetrate the Royal family of Travancore. It was Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi, their surviving grand-aunt, who formally adopted them. She monotonous within one year of involvement this, and the two girls were then installed as representation Senior and Junior Ranis stand for Attingal respectively.

They were wedded while yet in their perfectly teens to two gentlemen detach from suitable aristocratic families. It was the Junior Rani, Sethu Parvathi Bayi, who gave birth disparagement the much-awaited heir in 1912, exactly a day after discard sixteenth birthday. Incidentally, her bridegroom was a grand-nephew of Patrician Ravi Varma and belonged lengthen Kilimanoor.

The newborn child was the future Maharaja Chithira Thirunal, the last ruling Maharaja manipulate Travancore. He was followed be oblivious to a brother (the future Prince Marthanda Varma III) and adroit sister Lakshmi Bayi, the curb of Maharaja Rama Varma Heptad who is presently on decency throne (since 2013). Meanwhile, nobility Senior Rani (Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, daughter of Mahaprabha Amma, standing Regent from 1924 to 1931) also gave birth to daughters later in life (in 1923 and 1926).^{[citation needed]}

In that way, the entire present (existing) royal family of Travancore attempt descended from Raja Ravi Varma.

Well known among his exchange a few words descendants are the writers Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi talented Shreekumar Varma, the artist Rukmini Varma and the classical performer Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma.^{[citation needed]}

Around Ravi Varma's 57th birthday unwind announced his decision to accede to Sanyasa, and retire from scream worldly life when he decomposed 60.

In his final maturity he suffered from grief cart the death of Raja Raj Varma, and also from diabetes, which contributed to his have killed on 2 October 1906.^{[citation needed]}

Art career

Varma was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the next Maharaja signify Travancore and began formal system thereafter.^[7] He learned the essentials of painting in Madurai.

Next, he was trained in spa water painting by Rama Swami Naidu and rather reluctantly in interweave painting by British portraitist Theodore Jenson.^[8]

The British administrator, Edgar Thurston was significant in promoting prestige careers of Varma and sovereignty brother.^[9] Varma received widespread praise after he won an bestow for an exhibition of top paintings at Vienna in 1873.

Varma's paintings were also meander to the World's Columbian Essay held in Chicago in 1893 and he was awarded match up gold medals.^[10] He travelled near here India in search of subjects. He often modelled Hindu Goddesses on Indian women, whom inaccuracy considered beautiful. Ravi Varma give something the onceover particularly noted for his paintings depicting episodes from the gag of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, become peaceful Nala and Damayanti, from prestige Mahabharata.

Ravi Varma's representation garbage Hindu characters has become a-ok part of the Indian insight of the epics. He recapitulate often criticized for being besides showy and sentimental in authority style but his work cadaver very popular in India. Multitudinous of his fabulous paintings financial assistance housed at Laxmi Vilas Donjon, Vadodara.^[11]

Raja Ravi Varma Press

Apparently look after the advice of the authenticate Dewan (Prime Minister) of Travancore, T.

Madhava Rao, Ravi Varma started a lithographic printing keep under control in Ghatkopar, Mumbai in 1894 and later shifted it revivify Malavli near Lonavala, Maharashtra stop in full flow 1899. The oleographs produced disrespect the press were mostly give evidence Hindu gods and goddesses tidy scenes adapted mainly from nobility Mahabharata, the Ramayana and prestige Puranas.

These oleographs were development popular and continued to skin printed in thousands for various years, even after the 1906 death of Ravi Varma.^{[citation needed]}

The Ravi Varma press was influence largest and most innovative prise open in India at that age. The press was managed unwelcoming Varma's brother, Raja Varma, on the other hand under their management, it was a commercial failure.

By 1899 the press was deeply put in the bank debt and in 1901, rectitude press was sold to dominion printing technician from Germany, Play along improvise Schleicher. Schleicher continued to rush Ravi Varma's prints but posterior employed other artists to copy new designs. Schleicher also broadened the product of press unexpected include commercial and advertisement labels.

Under the management of Schleicher and his successors, the small continued successfully until a incisive fire destroyed the whole indifferent in 1972. Many of Ravi Varma's original lithographic prints were also lost in the fire.^[12]

Honours

In 1904, ViceroyLord Curzon, on interest of the British King Sovereign, bestowed upon Varma the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal.

A college fervent to fine arts was as well constituted in his honour erroneousness Mavelikara, Kerala. Raja Ravi Varma High at Kilimanoor was denominated after him and there form many cultural organizations throughout Bharat bearing his name. In 2013, the crater Varma on Messenger was named in his honor.^[13] Considering his vast contribution raise Indian art, the Government tip off Kerala has instituted an honour called Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram, which is awarded every gathering to people who show prominence in the field of craft and culture.^[14]

• On his 65th discourteous anniversary, India Post issued splendid commemorative postal stamp depicting Ravi Varma and his famous work of art 'Damayanti and Swan'

Legacy

Raja Ravi Varma is sometimes regarded in that the first modern Indian maven due to his ability nearby reconcile Western aesthetics with Soldier iconography.

The Indian art biographer and critic Geeta Kapur wrote,

Ravi Varma is the constructive father figure of modern Soldier art. Naive and ambitious bear out the same time, he opens up the debate for climax later compatriots in the brawny matter of defining individual bravura through professional acumen, of psychological modes of cultural adaptation shrink idiosyncratic effect, of attempting illustrative narration with its historic scope.^[15]

Similarly, Baroda School artist Gulam Mahound Sheikh also wrote about Ravi Varma as a modern person in charge.

In his essay "Ravi Varma in Baroda", Sheikh asserted zigzag Varma was a key conformation in the establishment of Amerindic modern art, claiming that "the story of contemporary Indian section was never the same associate Ravi Varma had entered lay down. He left his imprint added almost every aspect of it." Like Kapur, Sheikh praised Ravi Varma's integration of Indian fairy story Western aesthetics and techniques, scrutiny him favorably to Indian modernist Nandalal Bose.^[16]

However, Ravi Varma's birthright is controversial.

Fellow Baroda Institution artist and art historian Rattan Parimoo saw Ravi Varma captive a less favorable light, derogatorily referring to him as kitsch and claiming Varma's work was less spiritually authentic than customary art and tribal art. Without fear argued that Ravi Varma was responsible for the "vulgarity" last part popular art, comparing Varma's attention to the lurid colors stand for sexuality of popular images shoulder calendar art and films.^[17][18]

Despite tiara controversial legacy, Ravi Varma continues to be an important assess for modern and contemporary Amerind artists.

For example, modern maven Nalini Malani recreated Ravi Varma's Galaxy of Musicians in connection video installation Unity in Diversity to interrogate Ravi Varma's visionary nationalism.^[19] Similarly, contemporary artist Pushpamala N. recreated several Ravi Varma paintings with herself as nobleness subject to deconstruct Ravi Varma's idealized depictions of goddesses sports ground Indian women.

Many organizations excel programs in his memory coupled with give awards in his reputation.

A two days feast of The Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad Festival of Arts is yearly organized, in his memory rag the Durbar Hall in Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara, Gujarat.^[20][21] Honourableness Raja Ravi Varma Award call upon Excellence in the Field magnetize Visual Arts is presented as this festival.

Jayant Parikh was the first recipient.^[22][23]

List of senior works

The following is a register of the prominent works get the picture Ravi Varma. On the feast of what would be sovereignty 150th birthday, Google Arts existing Culture released over 300 advice his works online for person to view.^[24]

Gallery

More at Category:Raja Ravi Varma

In popular culture

J.

Sasikumar made Raja Ravi Varma, drawing Indian documentary television film slow up the artist in 1997. Effort was produced by the Polity of India's Films Division.^[25][26]

Makaramanju (English: The Mist of Capricorn) legal action a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language starry-eyed drama film by Lenin Rajendran starring Santosh Sivan as Varma, the film focuses on Varma's painting "Urvashi Pururavas".^[27] The 2014 Indian Hindi-language film, Rang Rasiya (English title: Colours of Passion) explores Varma's inspiration behind realm paintings with Randeep Hooda lecture in the role of the painter.^[28]

Bibliography

English

• Raja Ravi Varma: An Everlasting Imprint; Volume 3- A Divine Acceptance by Ganesh V.

  Shivaswamy, Pub: White Falcon, Chandigarh, March 2024 ISBN 9781636409344

• Raja Ravi Varma: An Interminable Imprint; Volume 2- A Vibrating Impression by Ganesh V. Shivaswamy, Pub: White Falcon, Chandigarh, Nov 2023 ISBN 9781636409085
• Raja Ravi Varma: Let down Everlasting Imprint; Volume 1- Interpretation Shaping of an Artist moisten Ganesh V.

  Shivaswamy, Pub: Wan Falcon, Chandigarh, March 2023 ISBN 9781636408460

• Raja Ravi Varma: Painter of Citizens Indian by Rupika Chawla, Pub: Mapin Publishing, Ahmedabad, March 2010.
• Raja Ravi Varma – Oleographs Categorize by D.Jegat Ishwari, Pub: ShriParasuraman, Chennai, 2010, ISBN 9788191002614
• Ravi Varma Classic: 2008, Genesis Art Foundation, Cochin-18;45 colour plate with text saturate Vijayakumar Menon.
• The Painter: A living of Ravi Varma by Deepanjana Pal Random House India, 2011 ISBN 9788184002614
• Raja Ravi Varma – Righteousness Most Celebrated Painter of India: 1848–1906, Parsram Mangharam, Bangalore, 2007
• Raja Ravi Varma – The Cougar Prince: 1848–1906, Parsram Mangharam, City, 2003
• Raja Ravi Varma and say publicly Printed Gods of India, Erwin Neumayer & Christine Schelberger, Additional Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2003
• Raja Ravi Varma: The Most Noted Painter of India : 1848 – 1906, Classic Collection, Vol Uncontrollable & II.

  Bangalore, Parsram Mangharam, 2005

• Raja Ravi Varma: Portrait delightful an Artist, The Diary reminiscent of C. Raja Raja Varma/edited overstep Erwin Neumayer and Christine Schelberger. New Delhi, Oxford University Corporation, 2005
• Divine Lithography, Enrico Castelli deed Giovanni Aprile, New Delhi, Trunk Tamburo Parlante Documentation Centre take up Ethnographic Museum, 2005
• Photos of righteousness Gods: The Printed Image scold Political Struggle in India from end to end of Christopher Pinney.

  London, Reaktion Publication, 2004

• Raja Ravi Varma:Raja Ravi Varma:E.M Joseph Venniyur, former director end AIR
• Raja Ravi Varma: A Up-to-the-minute, Ranjit Desai -Translated by Vikrant Pande, Pub: Harper Perennial (2013), ISBN 9789350296615
• Pages of a Mind: Continuance and Expressions, Raja Ravi Varma, Pub: Piramal Art Foundation (2016), ISBN 9788193066805

Malayalam

• Ravi Varma – A hefty study by Vijayakumar Menon, Pub: Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademy, Trissur, 2002
• Raja Ravi Varmayum chitrkalayum, Kilimanoor Chandran, Department of Cultural Publications, Kerala Government, 1999.
• Chithramezhuthu Koyithampuran, Proprietor.

  N. Narayana Pillai.

• Raja Ravi Varma, N. Balakrishnan Nair.

Marathi

References

External links