Raja Ravi Varma

Raja Ravi Varma : On the occasion of the 177th birth anniversary of the legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, a unique musical tribute titled Pranamam will be released at Kilimanoor Palace, the birthplace of the artist.

• About Pranamam : A musical tribute to Raja Ravi Varma, celebrating his childhood and later years at Kilimanoor Palace. It is the first such tribute created by his family.

• About Raja Ravi Varma: Born on April 29, 1848, in Kilimanoor Palace, Kerala, to an aristocratic family.

o Artistic Style: Pioneered the fusion of European realism with Indian iconography, depicting mythological characters and royalty in a realistic style.

o Contributions: Introduced oil painting to India, mastered lithography, and revolutionized the portrayal of Indian mythology by humanizing divine figures. His works often had erotic undertones, especially in female portrayals.

o Major Works: Lady in the Moonlight, Stolen Interview, Shakuntala, Ahalya, Woman Holding a Fruit.

o Legacy: Created over 2,000 paintings, earning nationwide recognition, and was awarded the Kaiser-e-Hind title in 1904 for his contributions. Considered one of India’s first modern artists.