Rama Krishna Sangem
What changed on the Indian art front now? Already, many of our artists command super high figures for their paintings. But a Raja Ravi Varma’s work, Yashoda and Krishna that went in hammer priced at a whopping Rs 167.20 crore last week made it to headlines for more than one reasons. In global standards, this figure may not be astronomical, but definitely it is a head turner across the world cities with great art houses
Cyrus Poonawalla of Serum Institute, from Pune, who bagged the precious art work raised eyebrows worldwide for both the supply and demand side of Indian art, traditional modern, not just modern art many of late 20th century giants here. Varma, a scion of princely state of Trivendrum, Kerala belongs to late 19th century, born 1870.
Raja Ravi Varma paintings are highly valued for pioneering a unique blend of Indian mythological subjects with Western academic realism, effectively creating the modern visual identity of Hindu deities. Their value lies in this rare fusion, emotional storytelling, exceptional texture details, and increasing scarcity in the art market.
Varma’s rise in the art world conveyed three messages: 1) Indian art rooted in nativity and mythology is still loved by Indians. 2) Raja Ravi Varma’s simple lines and shady colours reflect the glory of the stories he tells us and 3) People love to keep them within the country for their heritage value.
Other factors:
Varma successfully blended Indian aesthetic sensibilities with European oil painting techniques (such as oil-on-canvas, perspective, and natural lighting), bringing a fresh, realistic approach to Indian art.
Before Varma, deities were often portrayed in abstract or strictly iconographic forms. Varma gave gods and goddesses human form, making them relatable, emotional, and accessible to the common viewer.
Through his printing press, he made affordable, high-quality lithographs of his paintings, allowing popular imagery of Indian gods to reach households across India, cementing his importance in Indian culture. His works, especially portraits, are known for their intricate detailing of clothing, jewelry, skin textures, and hair, creating a sense of luxury and vivid life.
His paintings often feature tender, quiet, or dramatic narratives, such as maternal love in Yashoda and Krishna, rather than just static scenes. As few of his original oils remain, his paintings are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors, leading to record-breaking auction prices, such as the Yashoda and Krishna painting selling for over ₹167 crore.