Raja Ravi Varma: The Painter Prince

"Ravi Varma’s contributions have been far reaching and solid.He awakened national feeling or consciousness through his chosen medium,projected India into rarefied realms of high class art,and for the first time elevated the Indian artist to a position of dignity.He made the outside world more accurately aware of the infinite variety and incredible charm that this ancient land has to offer,An Indianism which survived extended alien influences,to continue as pulsating and alive.However the most profound service he rendered with astounding success,was to invest the Hindu pantheon of Gods and Godesses with face,figure, and to enable them to find places in the hearts and homes of the poor and rich,of the scholar and the untutored alike.

The picture prints of Saraswati,Lakshmi,Krishna,Coronation of Sree Rama and the like adore the walls of the rich and poor alike even today.

Ravi Varma was mainly self-taught.The first National as also International recognition came in the year 1873 when he was hardly twenty five years old.Then onwards there was no looking back.