How Raja Ravi Varma's art is the link between him and Indian cinema

With brushstrokes that brought deities to life, Raja Ravi Varma revolutionized the way we perceive the gods and goddesses of Indian mythology. He gave human form to the ideal versions of faceless entities and mass-produced high-quality prints of his paintings, making art accessible to everyone. With themes ranging from Indian mythology and Vedic verses to royal families and the rich culture of India, Varma's paintings not only captivate with their lifelike portrayal of the human form but also transports us to a world steeped in tradition and ancient tales.

To celebrate the 175th birth anniversary of the master painter, Bengaluru’s Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation has partaken in its first overseas exhibition. Nine chromolithographs from the Ravi Varma Press belonging to Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation are loaned to the Louvre Abu Dhabi as part of the museum’s fifth anniversary culture season. The exhibition titled “Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema” talks about the history of Indian cinema from its beginnings in the late 19th century till the present day. Put together in collaboration with Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and France Muséums, the show stages the prolific history of image making in the subcontinent, to which Raja Ravi Varma's visual grammar has made significant contributions.

“(The show is) the history of pre-cinema and the birth of the cinema,” says Gitanjali Maini, Managing Trustee and CEO at the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation. “When you're doing a show these days, a lot of people want to see art. Some people might have a deeper understanding and some are on the basic level, but you must make exhibitions available and understandable for all types of people and that is this exhibition,” she adds.

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The artist used elements beyond their literal interpretation to evoke deeper meanings and emotions in his paintings. In one of his iconic works, Woman Holding a Fruit, he used the fruit and the saree falling from her shoulders as symbols of fertility and consciousness of sensuality. His use of various elements such as flora and fauna, and musical instruments, made his paintings descriptive and lent them a certain gravitas, which drew us into the scene, making us feel as though we were a part of the artwork. Each and every detail of the painting had a meaning that revealed the depths of human emotions and experiences. 

The nature of his works were realistic and the use of light and shadow to emulate depth gave birth to a certain drama in his paintings, which led to a dialogue that influenced Indian cinema, and has been incorporated into many classic and contemporary films. Hesitation is a great example of one of his paintings illuminating only the subjects by putting the source of light outside the painting, with no background. 

Many filmmakers and artists in India are known to be enthusiastic about employing light and shadow to set the palettes and tones of their films. The "Father of Indian Cinema”, Dadasaheb Phalke himself, took inspiration from Ravi Varma's work, as can be seen in several of his sets as well as the subject placement in his films. He replicated scenes from his paintings and lithographs creating similar compositions in his films, like his 1913 debut Raja Harishchandra, and later, Kaliya Mardan. 

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The exhibit draws a parallel between the influencers of Indian cinema and the universal nature of art as a form of expression, highlighting the crafts of storytelling, dance, and theatre, and their connection to mythology and religion.

The exhibition features extracts from 40 films and over 80 artworks, showcasing the opulence of India's visual art traditions and their connection to narrative-based art forms. From costumes to larger-than-life cutouts of celebrities and immersive experiences for the audience, it is a 360-degree panorama of Indian cinema, embracing every artistic nuance.

“Varma’s lithograph began to tell a story about the birth of the Indian nation, where a certain idea of India emerges and and that's the link between him and the cinema,” says Maini.

The display of Raja Ravi Varma's works includes a collection of his celebrated masterpieces, each piece reflecting his unique artistic vision that seamlessly blends realism and stylisation in its portrayal of Indian culture and mythology.

Regardless of their cultural or linguistic backgrounds, the artist's works have the capability of captivating the audience through a combination of visual, auditory, and emotional elements. By exploring themes that are universal, whether it is through the portrayal of iconic characters or the use of breathtaking visuals, cinema has the ability to bring people together and inspire them to see the world in a new way, and Raja Ravi Varma, even posthumously, only underlines the magnitude of influence our visual cultures have had in shaping and mirroring society and present-day India.

Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema is on view till 4 June 2023, Louvre Abu Dhabi. Later to be exhibited in Paris.

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