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Gangavatran

Raja Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma Press Malavli LonavalaCirca 1930

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India

GANGAVATRAN OR THE DESCENT OF GANGA: Bhagirata, a king from the solar dynasty relinquished his kingdom and undertook to bring Ganga down to earth. His mission was to perform purification rites for the 60,000 sons of King Sagara (his great grandfather). 1000 years of tapas were spent when Ganga agreed to come to earth but haughtily challenged anyone block the tide of her descent. Bhagiratha then prays to Lord Shiva who agrees to stem the tide. Shiva's hair is undone which traps Ganga and prevents her from washing away the earth. Shiva thereafter loosens his matted locks to release a trickle of water which flows into the river we see today.

In this print by the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma, Shiva is the central figure who stands strong having unlocked his matted hair ready to receive Ganga. On either side in the foreground are Parvathi leaning on Nandi and Bhagirata viewing the dramatic descent of Ganga. Raja Ravi Varma is probably inspired by the sportive form (lila-murti) of Shiva called Gangadhara-murti as described in the Purva-karanagama and the Kamikagama.

Details

  • Title: Gangavatran
  • Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Press Malavli Lonavala
  • Date Created: Circa 1930
  • Physical Dimensions: 70 x 50 cms
  • Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru.
  • Subject Keywords: Raja Ravi Varma, Hinduism, Shiva, Ganga, Gigapixel
  • Type: Chromolithograph
  • Rights: The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation, Bengaluru
  • Creator's Biography: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was a prolific Indian artist who is recognized for his resorting to the academic realistic style of painting. His portraits of English and Indian royalty and aristocracy were well received. His paintings on Hindu religious and mythological subjects and paintings from classical and literary sources were highly sought after even during his lifetime. He painted several copies of his works and this demand led to the suggestion to have his paintings printed in the form of oleographs. The Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press was established in Bombay (now Mumbai) and commenced operations in 1894. Many of Ravi Varma's paintings were printed as chromolithographs at this Press. These chromolithographs would have a tremendous impact on religion, society and aesthetics. They went on to democratize art leading to immortalize Ravi Varma in the minds of the people of the Indian subcontinent.

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