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Art is a luxury. But it does not mean that the richest or the most royal people would be the best at art. As Anton Ego said in ratatouille, "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." A great artist is someone who has something for everyone.
Passed away on 2nd October 1906
The art world went through significant changes over the ages. From the classic approaches to realism and movements of Dadaism- art has seen it all.
If you had the opportunity to look at one of Raja Ravi Varma's paintings, you'd notice the bold use of oil paints. Out of all movements in art, realism inspired a lot of artists. And some of the best artworks were produced at that time.
Raja Ravi Varma's paintings followed that style- visible in his royal portraits and canvasses of gods and goddesses.
Ravi Varma's talents were first discovered by his uncle Raja Raja Varma who was an artist as well. Impressed by his nephew's talents, Raja Raja Varma tutored him in sketching and painting to the best of his abilities. Although at that time, no one knew that someday, Ravi Varma would become the father of Indian Modern Art. It was unthinkable for an aristocrat back then to take painting as a profession. Therefore, Ravi's training was just the cultivation of a hobby.
At the mere age of 13, Ravi Varma made his entry into the Royal Court of Travancore. During his time there, he wandered wondering at the marvels and murals that were spectacular. But he was already taken by the European paintings.
The interplay of textures, three-dimensional effects, the contrast between shade and light, lending perspective and depth to the painting opened up an entirely new world for him. Making a painting is not an easy feat. It takes a lot of uneasy-looking canvases and trial and error of paint mixtures to finally become a skilled artist. Although it was not easy, when Ravi Varma learned the techniques, he could evoke emotions in a painting, make it seem so lifelike that you felt the portrait peering into your soul. He could strike a balance, it was a fusion of Indian sensitivity with European technicality. For the first time in the history of Indian art, the concept of perspective was introduced.
He only faced one dilemma: to pursue his passion and become a commercial painter or act by his royal status and not pursue painting.
But he took a leap of faith, and with trust in the divine, Ravi Varma began his journey as a painter. In 1870, he got his first paid commission through a family portrait of Kizakke Palat Krishnan Menon, Sub-Judge of the Calicut Court.
The Amar Chitra Katha comics have beautiful paintings, don't they? And did you know that the pictures in those comics were inspired by Raja Ravi Varma's works? Raja Ravi Varma sketched everything he could lay his eyes on. From motifs found in the Puranas to ordinary men and women whose movements and bodies embodied grace and beauty- he cherished these sights till he was ready to materialize them on paper.
His painting- Sita Bhumi Pravesh- depicting the last appearance of Sita in the Great epic Ramayana, was the first painting by him to reach north India. It eventually served as his gateway to Baroda.
Mahaprabha, his daughter, often makes an appearance in his paintings. She features in the famous canvas- There comes Papa- featured at the Chicago Exposition of 1893.
Raja Ravi Varma's life was colorful. Though it may have gotten somber, there was never a dull moment. His contribution to Indian art is revolutionary. A Kshatriya acquires territories and wins hearts through his might. Raja Ravi Varma was perhaps the only Kshatriya who conquered the world with his artistic capabilities and a simple brush. He will forever remain a royal amongst all painters.
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