Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)
Raja Ravi Varma was a pioneering Indian painter celebrated for fusing European academic realism with distinctly Indian themes and iconography. Born into the royal family of Parappanad and later connected to Travancore, he received formal training under notable mentors, including British portraitist Theodore Jenson.
Varma’s masterful depictions of Hindu deities and epic narratives shaped the visual imagination of modern India. His use of lithography made fine art accessible to the public, transforming cultural engagement with imagery. Awarded internationally, including at Vienna in 1873 and Chicago in 1893, he remains a defining figure in Indian art. His legacy endures through institutions, awards, and contemporary artists who continue to revisit and reinterpret his iconic works.
