(29 April, 1848 – 2 October, 1906)
Raja Ravi Varma was born in Kilimanoor, Kerla, 1848. He was apioneer Indian painter and declared a National Treasure artist by the Government of India. He was a one of the greatest artists of India. He learned basic training of painting from Madurai. Later, he was trained in water painting by Rama Swami and in oil painting by Dutch portraitist Theodor Janson.
Varma's art used oil medium and European style of realism. This new style influenced other artists and shaped a new perception of "Indian Art”. He was the first Indian artist to use Western techniques like perspective and composition and to adapt them to Indian subjects, style and themes. His works often depicted scenes from the Indian mythologies such as, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas. He is well-known for his paintings of ‘Damayanti’ and ‘Shakuntala’ from the ‘Mahabharata’.
He was born aristocratic family that produced prince and princesses of Travancore royal family for over 200 years. The oleographs produced by the press were mostly of Hindu Gods and Goddesses in scenes adapted mainly from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas. These oleographs were very popular and continued to be printed in thousands for many years, even after the 1906 death of Ravi Varma, many other artists continued to practice this style of realism, contributing to the development of Indian popular art in the form of calendar art. and understand the oil painting better, and these images are found all over India and have survived because they are respected as pictures of Gods.
Varma travelled throughout India in search of subjects. He started painting about social issues and mainly with South Indian’s female subjects, which was relatable with lots of people. He was often criticized for his naked and partially naked painting of women at that time. He also made a fusion with European painting style, which was a first for Indian artist. He broke all the rules when it came of his art, he was bold and fearless and supported his art immensely.
Raja Ravi Varma passed away in Kilimanoor, Kerla on 2 October, 1906.
