raja_ravi_varma

A renowned Indian artist who blended European techniques with Indian traditions to revive indigenous art.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was a visionary painter from Kerala, India, celebrated for merging European realism with classical Indian themes. Trained in oil painting by British artists, he created iconic depictions of Hindu deities and epics, such as Shakuntala and Saraswati, which redefined Indian art’s global perception. His chromolithograph press, Ravi Varma Press (1894), mass-produced affordable prints, making art accessible to the masses. Varma’s works challenged colonial stereotypes by showcasing India’s cultural richness. Despite criticism from traditionalists, his legacy endures in museums like the Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery in Mavelikkara. Explore his life via Wikipedia or view his paintings at National Gallery of Modern Art.