This article is about raja Ravi Varma, the world famous painter from Kerala.
Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Verma is a world famous painter from Kerala who was born in 29th April 1848 at Kilimanur Palace. Even though he has gone pass 100 years before, he is still living in the heart of the people through his extra ordinary paintings. He was born as a son of Ezhumavil Neelakandan Bhattathiripad andUmamba Thampuratti. He was an excellent painter from his childhood. It was Ravi Verma’s uncle named Raja Raja Verma who was also a painter of his times taught Ravi Verma the basic lessons of painting. Then he was introduced to the Palace of Raja Ayilyam Thirunnal and has given coaching in water colouring under the teachings of Ramaswami Nayidu and Arumukham Pillai. He also imbibed the idea of Oil painting with brushes from the famous English painter named Theodor Edison. He also got compliments from Raja of Travancore for drawing his portrait. Then Raja Ravi Verma got many international appearances and won the medal in the painting competitions from Vienna and Madras. The theme of his painting was mainly from Hindu epic stories. A painting institution was started in Bombay in the name of Ravi Varma Press in 1894. For the memories of this great painter from Kerala, the authorities has started an Institution named Ravi Varma Painting School in a place known as Mavelikkara in Kerala. 2nd October 1906 marked the end of this great personality from the material world.
Major Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Varma is the first painter from India to blend the traditional painting pattern of Indians with the western culture of paintings. The paintings like ‘hamsadamayanthi’ or damayanthi taiking to the swan, Ekadashirugmangadam’ etc are some of his extraordinary works. Some of his major works are Village Belle, Lady Lost in Thought, Arjuna andSubhadra, The Orchestra, Lady with lamp, Lord Krishna as Ambassador, Swarbat Player, Nair Woman, DraupadiDreading to MeetKichaka,, Lord Rama Conquers Varuna, Lady Giving Alms at the Temple, Yashoda decorating Krishna, Bhishma Pledge, Radha Madhavam, Draupadi carrying milk honey, Shakuntala despondent etc.
|