Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) - A Prince Among Painters and A Painter Among Princes

• Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was born in Kilimanoor Palace as the son of Umamba Thampuratti and Ezhumavil Neelakandan Bhattathiripad.
•  At the age of seven years he started drawing on the palace walls using charcoal.
• At the age of 14, Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja took him to Travancore Palace and he was taught water painting by the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu. After 3 years Theodor Jenson, a British painter taught him oil painting.
• Most of his oil paintings are based on Hindu epic stories and characters. In 1873 he won the First Prize at the Madras Painting Exhibition. He became a world famous Indian painter after winning in 1873 Vienna Exhibition.

Famous "oliographics " of "Raja Ravi Verma".......

1.  Sakunthala

(Raja Ravi Varma - Oil Painting on Canvas - 1898)

Sakunthala - Looks of Love - Sakunthala looking back at Dushyanthan acting as injured with a thorn. Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma dated 1898 - Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

2.Mother and Child

(Raja Ravi Varma - Oil Painting on Canvas)

Mother and Child - A unique painting showing the affection of mother. Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma - Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

3.Hamsa Damayanthi

(Raja Ravi Varma - Oil Painting on Canvas - 1899)

Hamsa Damayanthi - Princess Damayanthi talking with Royal Swan about Nalan. Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma dated 1899 - Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

4.Lady with Swarbat

(Raja Ravi Varma - Oil Painting on Canvas - 1874)

Lady with Swarbat - A lady playing music instrument Swarbat. Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma dated 1874 - Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

5.Lady Holding a Fruit

(Raja Ravi Varma - Oil Painting on Canvas

Lady Holding a Fruit - Painting of a lady holding a fruit. Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma - National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.