PDA

View Full Version : Rama Varma - artist son of Ravi Varma (Padmanabha)



RR
31st May 2007, 01:08 PM
Rama Varma - artist son of Ravi Varma

- Padmanabha


Raja Ravi Varma needs no introduction. How many of us knew that his son Rama Varma was an equally accomplished artist?

On my frequent visits to the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, a few paintings like the Study, a Day’s toil, Malavika dancing in the court of Agnimitra and Harichandra pledging his All, always fascinated me. The above mentioned works were executed by Rama Varma son of Raja Ravi Varma. Like his father, Rama Varma combined the western technique of oil painting with eastern tradition.

Rama Varma was born as the second son of Raja Ravi Varma in 1880. He joined the JJ school of Arts Bombay, where he had his early training in the art. Then he had his higher studies, at Madras School of Arts. After Diploma he assisted his father for a short period- as the painter Prince passed away in 1906.

The flair for the art is inherent. It began to blossom and bear fruit. By perseverance and untiring effort he mastered the art of painting and took it as profession and career. He exhibited his works at Madras, and Bombay Fine Arts Exhibition, and secured first prize. The scene from Sakunthalam in which the young boy of Sakunthala on seeing Dushyanthan says to is mother “here is a stranger who calls me son!”-received mass appeal.

The painting of Malavika in the court of Agnimitra, is remarkable, for the exuberance and variety of expression and emotional fervor. The jealousy of the Queen, the passionate look of the King, the rhythm and harmony of dance and enthusiasm of the musicians are depicted with great insight of the gifted artist. Even the hall is essayed with consummate skill. The details of the carvings on the pillars, and screens have been worked out in an exquisite manner.
The mantle of Ravi Varma is surely fallen on this artist. To keep up the metaphors unfolds him closely for looking at Malavika one would be able to pick out the character of the great artist-same perfection, wealth of imagination, and profusion of color.

In 1907, he created the works “FEAR OF LIFE”, “AFTER THE BIRTH”, “A DAYS DISAPPOINTED SALE”. Gaekward of Baroda invited him to copy oil paintings which had been done by his father. Ravi Varma, while at Rewa painted two full length portrait of HH, one in resplendent durbar dress and the other in his impressive military uniform.

Harichandra Pledging his All, is a picture well composed and show great deal of sunlight and the brush work is good. It is a life like piece executed with care and good tone.

He traveled all over India and painted portraits and objective studies. In 1921, Madras government appointed him, as a member of the committee to re-organize the school of Arts Madras. In 1933, he left or European tour, to make a comparative study of the western technique, of his great father’s works. He visited the Art galleries at Naples, Rome, Venice, Munich Dresden, Vienna, Budapest, France and Switzerland.

Western art was introduced in Asia, after the conquest of Alexander. It was then that the spirit of the West and the East encountered. In western art we find an endeavor to present thing as they appear in Nature. Aristotelian philosophy says “the soul of a subject is dependent upon its outward expression”. Rama Varma devoted necessary attention to the more important details in all his portraits and landscapes.
The lay man does not see in painting the subtleties of composition rhythm of color, harmony and other technicalities which contribute to the intrinsic greatness and appeal of a work of art. He misses the anatomical perfection, the color scheme, the effect of light, shade and fade outs.

A lover of harmony, Rama Varma has mastered the technique of merging one color tone with another. The palpable effect of light and shades, the excellence of compositions render his portraits an admirable example of oil paintings.

His portrait of his father is an impressive work. The technical dexterity in bringing out the clear complexion of the flesh and the texture of the dress deserve recognition.

[html:a71b676646]http://www.mayyam.com/contribs/incoming/20070531/the_study0002.JPG[/html:a71b676646]
THE STUDY is a striking work and richly colored. The profile is pretty and graceful. The effect of high light falling on the face must have been accomplished by the dexterous touch of a flat brush. The exquisite texture of the veil has been successfully represented by the clever use of yellow ochre. Rich crimson blouse is seen through the ‘embroidered’ veil.

After a day’s toil is admirably excellent. It is a familiar scene on the sea coast. It is a recording of the strenuous life of the fisher folk. The faith representation of the sky, in bright purple and gold is radiant in this fine work of realistic art. It essays the fishermen awaiting a catch. The figure and the background are in total harmony. The landscape as far as the eye could reach has been represented with exquisite realism and pictorial effect.

Bali Vadham is yet another work mentioning. Rama hiding conveniently to shoot Bali, the exhaustion and pain cause by the amour, which has pierced the heart of Bali, the sudden and violent contraction of muscles his gasping for breath, makes the work a memorable piece.
In Surpanakas plight- Sita faints on seeing Surpanaka, Rama is engrossed in giving first aid, Lakshman preparing to confront the ogress.

Sakunthala leaving Kanwa- Sakunthala is distressed. She falls at the feet of Kanwa and bids farewell. Priyamvada, Anusuya, Sharngarava, Sharadvata and Gautami are well represented.

Like his illustrious father, he essayed scenes from Epics, Puranas, and moments from day to life. But he remained unknown till his demise and never took advantage of the reflected glory to yield extra mileage.

- * -
[tscii:a71b676646][/tscii:a71b676646]

pavalamani pragasam
4th June 2007, 03:17 PM
Very informative!