Raja Ravi Varma birth anniversary: 15 unknown facts about India's greatest painter

Vikram Bhalla / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 29, 2023, 13:17 IST

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Raja Ravi Varma birth anniversary: 15 unknown facts about India's greatest painter

Raja Ravi Varma is widely considered one of the greatest painters in Indian art history. He is credited with revolutionizing Indian art by introducing new techniques and styles that blended Indian and European aesthetics. His paintings were highly influential and popular during his time and continue to be admired and studied today.
His depictions of Indian mythological characters and the Indian way of life were highly celebrated, and his works have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.

Additionally, Raja Ravi Varma was a pioneer in using art as a means of social reform, promoting education for women and advocating against social evils like child marriage
Here are 15 unknown facts about him:

Raja Ravi Varma was born on April 29, 1848, in Kilimanoor, a village in present-day Kerala, India.
He was a self-taught artist who learned to paint by observing the works of European artists and by studying books on art.
Raja Ravi Varma was the first Indian artist to use oil paints, which were brought to India by the British.
His painting "Hamsa Damayanti," which depicts the story of King Nala and Damayanti from the Mahabharata, won the first prize at the Vienna Exhibition in 1873.
He was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind gold medal by the British government in 1904 for his contributions to art.
Raja Ravi Varma was also a skilled photographer and established a photography studio in Mumbai.
He was a great patron of Indian classical music and invited several musicians to his palace to perform.
Raja Ravi Varma was the first Indian artist to have his works exhibited in Europe, where they were widely acclaimed.
He created a new style of painting that blended Indian and European techniques, which came to be known as the "Ravi Varma style."
He was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, making him the first Indian artist to receive this honor.
Raja Ravi Varma was a prolific artist and created over 7,000 paintings in his lifetime.
He was a great admirer of the beauty of women and often painted them in his works.
His paintings often featured mythological themes and were popular among the royalty and aristocracy of India.
Raja Ravi Varma died on October 2, 1906, in Attingal, Kerala.
His legacy as one of India's greatest artists continues to this day, and his works remain highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world.