School of Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was one of the most prominent Indian painters in Indian art history. Notable and renowned both in India and abroad, during his time, Varma had been instrumental in inspiring a legacy of later Indian artists, who came under the swoon of European neoclassicism during the precolonial duration. 

Varma’s paintings draw emphasis on the Indian female subjects, which he encountered while travelling the length and breadth of the country. With portraits expressed in vivid colours, tones, and illuminating sharp features, his style became prominent and concrete. Varma’s depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses from religious texts, poetry and mythology like Mahabharata had become popular among the common mass through the calendar and other popular forms of public art. 

The artist had many patrons for his exceptional artworks such as the Maharaja of Travancore and British officials. The widespread recognition and fame came in 1873 when his paintings were exhibited in Vienna and later in Chicago in 1893. 

In 1904,  he was delegated with the prestigious Kaisar-i-Hind gold medal by Viceroy Lord Curzon on account of the British King-Emperor. At Mavelikara, Kerala, a college for the study of fine art was constructed in his honour. It was initially a training institute that was established by his son Rama Varma in 1915; an oasis of education for those interested in fine art. It offers various courses in applied art, painting, and sculpting for both diploma and undergraduate degrees. 

Likewise in Kilimanoor, a school dedicated to his contribution to the Indian art scene was commemorated and named Raja Ravi Varma Central School in 1993. At the same time, artists like MV Dhurandhar, among others, followed a similar style of rendering Indian subjects irrevocably. The influence of Varma was long-withstanding and shifted the entire perspective of displaying Indian culture in a renewed way!