Artist Ravi Varma
I have been fascinated by the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma (also spelled as Raja Ravi Verma) since my childhood. In our ancestral home, there were framed copies of these paintings...only God knows where they are now. I knew a lawyer from Karwar, Mr. Haldipur, who was a great devotee of Ravi Varma and had collected many of his works.
Great injustice has been done to the artist Ravi Varma in our country because he used modern hues and oils in his work and because of the western influence in his paintings. The critics said his was not Indian art. To me, Ravi Varma is not only among India's greatest artists, but also a great patriot. His depiction of the beauty of the Indian woman is unequalled in Indian art.
When the art gallery of Mysore was under renovation, I got an opportunity to photograph them and my joy knew no bounds! Over the years I got to see many a fine-print reproductions of Ravi Varma's paintings and have tried to photograph the expression of his subjects.
-- K. L. Kamat in a letter to Vikas
First Online: February 20, 2001
Last Updated: December 07, 2024
Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma
 Village Belle Detail from an oil painting by Ravi Varma |  |
 |  Lady Lost in Thought Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
Damayanti Talking to a Swan Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | The Orchestra by Raja Ravi Varma Notice the variety of Indian clothing. Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |
Arjuna and Subhadra Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Lady with Fruit Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
The Heartbroken Woman lost in love being consoled by friend. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Swarbat Player - Close-up Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
Lord Krishna as Ambassador Krishna makes a last minute attempt to prevent the great Mahabharata war -- Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Jatayu, a bird devotee of Lord Rama is mauled by Rawana Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery Collection, Mysore |
Victory of Meghanada by Raja Ravi Varma Indrajitu presents Shachidevi to father Rawana after vanquishing Indra. Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |  |
 | A Family of Beggars Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
A Lady Playing Swarbat Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Lady Giving Alms at the Temple Painting by Raja Ravi Varma. Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |
Lord Rama Conquers Varuna Painting by Raja Ravi Varma. Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |  |
 | Romancing Couple -- Painting by Raja Ravi Varma. |
Draupadi Dreading to Meet Kichaka Draupadi, in the disguise of Sairendhri is asked by the queen of Virata to go to the house of her brother Kichaka Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |  |
 | Shantanu and Matsyagandha The Boat-woman and the Noble -- painting by Ravi Varma |
Shakuntala Composing a Love Letter to King Dushyanta Painting by Raja Ravi Varma Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery Collection, Mysore |  |
 | Girl in Sage Kanwa's Hermitage (Rishi-Kanya) Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
Seduction of Vishwamitra Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Nala Abandoning wife Damayanti Painting depicting the life of Nala-Damayanti |
Village Belle with Brass Pots Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Girl Playing with a Ball Painting by Ravi Varma, Mysore Art Museum |
Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta Oil painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Lord Krishna and Balaram Liberating their Parents from Kansa's Prison Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |
Mother and Child Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore |  |
 | Arjuna Sanyasi -- Seduction of Subhadra Oil Painting by Ravi Varma |
Woman Lost in Thought Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Lady Attending to her Hair Bun Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | A Young Mother and Her Child Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
A Lady Playing Veena Musical Instrument Painting by Raja [Ravi Varma |  |
 | Shakuntala by Ravi Varma Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
Shakuntala Composes a Message Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Portrait of Raja Ravi Varma Detail from cover page of a children's book |
Alms Receiver Outside a Temple Painting bu Ravi Varma |  |
 | Sri Krishna and Balarama |
Artist Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) Indian stamp honoring Ravi Varma |  |
 | Portrait of Artist Ravi Varma (1848-1906) |
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |  |
 | Shakuntala's Love Letter Painting by Raja Ravi Varma |
A Keralite Housewife |  |
| A Keralite Housewife |
Waiting for the Ferryman |  |
See Also:
- Bhishma's Promise
- The Descent of Ganga
- A Family of Beggars
- The Girl from Malabar
- Indian Woman
- Lady Giving Alms at the Temple
- Lady in her Vanity
- Lady with a Child and a Dog
- Lord Krishna as an Envoy
- Lord Rama Conquers Varuna
- Mother and Child
- Portrait of Colonel William Douglas Brodie Ketchen
- Saree Style Popular in Malabar 1900 A.D.
- Women in Sarees
See Also:
- Search for more works of Raja Ravi Verma in Kamat PICTURESearch
- Paintings of India at Kamat's Potpourri
- Indian Painting -- A large collection of paintings from India shows representative styles, themes, and techniques.
