Why is it in the News?

The first true copy of the painting Indulekha by legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma will be unveiled at the Kilimanoor Palace, where the eminent artist was born in 1848, on the occasion of his 176th birth anniversary celebrations.

Who was Raja Ravi Varma?

• Raja Ravi Varma was an Indian painter and artist.
• He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art.
• His works are one of the best examples of the fusion of European academic art with a purely Indian sensibility and iconography.
• Additionally, he was notable for making affordable lithographs of his paintings available to the public, which greatly enhanced his reach and influence as a painter and public figure.
• His lithographs increased the involvement of common people with fine arts and defined artistic tastes among common people.
• He was part of the royal family of erstwhile Parappanad, Malappuram district.
• He is also celebrated for inventing the first oleograph press in Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
• His paintings depicting Hindu gods and goddesses had a significant influence on their portrayal in art and cinema for many years.
• His artworks found popularity not only among Europeans but also among laymen, who appreciated his work for its simplicity.
  • In a time when lower castes were barred from temples, they found solace in Varma's work.
• In addition to Indian mythology, he was admired for highlighting the beauty of South Indian women.
• Viceroy Lord Curzon honored him with the 'Kaisar-i-Hind' Gold Medal for his service.
• His paintings can be broadly classified into three categories: portraits, portrait-based compositions, and theatrical compositions based on myths and legends.
• Some of his popular paintings include 'A Family of Beggars,' 'A Lady Playing Swarbat,' 'Draupadi Dreading to Meet Kichaka,' 'Girl in Sage Kanwa's Hermitage (Rishi-Kanya),' 'Jatayu,' and 'Indulekha' among others.

About Indulekha Painting:

• The painting by Raja Ravi Varma draws inspiration from the novel as he creates an oil painting of Indulekha, who is depicted holding a letter addressed to her lover, Madhavan, the hero of the novel, with the salutation 'Dear Madhavan...' dated 1892.
• The painting, characterized by an over-the-top sense of symmetry and precise attention to micro-details, dates back to the 19th century.
• Another belief suggests that the famous painting 'Reclining Lady' by Ravi Varma was modeled on Indulekha.
• Recently, the painting was restored by Madhan S. of the Heritage Conservation and Research Academy.