His journey of life has been no less than a fantasy, venerable, enviable, something which many of us only dream of living. It ought to be celebrated in many fashions, not just one. Rupika Chawla did just that on 168th birth anniversary of the legendary painter. By Devi Singh
They say life imitates art but if the reverse were to happen and art was to imitate life how many distinguished names could you think of whose stories you would want to know, flip through or treat your eyes withIJ Raja Ravi Varma has had a remarkable story to tell since he started painting the walls of his home as a child showcasing the first signs of his talent to the great travels he had across the country. Each place, state, palace he went to had stories to be told. The man who brought Indian gods and goddesses on canvas, the one who gave them countenances we know them by today etched in our collective consciousness forever, the portraits, photos and calendars which adorn many houses across the country with many worshipping the paintings. A life full of controversies, for being way ahead of its time, some aspirations and apprehensions, forgotten love and an ardent desire to do more till the last breath.
Born in a family having roots associated with royalty, he wasn’t exactly a royal but still very princely, Verma took a cue from the Western style of paintings and started incorporating more depth into his own artworks which was to be his key to fame. Having been detested, berated from many including his contemporaries, the masses and the authority he was always mired with some or other wrangle. But a destiny’s child, Verma continued to strive nonetheless despite several heartaches, failures and regrets.
To celebrate this and more Rupika Chawla who authored Raja Ravi Varma — Painter of Colonial India dedicated an evening to the art and times of the gifted genius marking his birth anniversary and unravelling some unknown facts about the great painter of modern India. Chawla led the guests through his remarkable journey at capital’s Taj Mahal Hotel specifically his trysts with the colonial India and his association with the princely Indian life at that point of time. Soaking in the flavour of the times the evening began with a tableau vivant with participants dressed in period clothes bearing striking resemblance to the characters from Ravi Varma’s paintings where Chawla’s grand children could be seen participating, too.
Starting with the portrayal of an impassioned relationship Varma had with his muse Anjali Bai, Chawla narrated the consequential presence she had in his life.
On how different was Varma from his contemporaries Chawla said, “He was certainly a very bright and intense man with a vision. One of the reasons he’s so well known is that he travelled the entire country in quest for patrons and paintings. People even while he was alive were trying to copy him as a way to flatter him. I don’t know anyone else who had the kind of energy and spirit he had in a very short life. His paintings are fluid, the way he explains the narrative in a painting is extraordinary.”
Through her insightful talk, Chawla delved into Ravi Varma’s experiences as a painter as he travelled the length and breadth of the country, visiting the many princely states that commissioned him to paint for them. As the author of the thoroughly researched and beautifully produced work on Varma’s life, Chawla’s knowledge on the subject is profound and the audience was enthralled to get a glimpse of his life and rich legacy.