Mohini or The Temptress

Ravi Varma Press1890

Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
Bengaluru, India

The female avatar of Vishnu, Mohini is the epitome of beauty and allure. Nothing can stand in her way and no person can resist her charms. Vishnu takes the form of Mohini and hoodwinks the asuras into giving away the amrita (the nectar of immortality) before rightfully handing it to the Devas. Mohini literally means 'delusion personified' and is famed for casting a spell or maya which gives rise to the term Maya-Mohini. It is reflected in the slaying of another demon, Bhasmasura who falls for charms.

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Details

Title: Mohini or The Temptress
Creator: Ravi Varma Press
Date Created: 1890
Physical Dimensions: 35 x 50 cms
Type: Reproduction
Original Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Rights: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Medium: Print
Art Genre: Print
Labels and Inscriptions: Ravi Varma Press, Karla, Lonavala
Creator's Lifetime: 1848-04-29/1906-10-02
Collection: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
About the Artist: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), India’s foremost artist, who took art to the masses, hailed from Kilimanoor, in the erstwhile state of Travancore. From a very young age, Ravi Varma, was drawn towards art, imbibing techniques from his uncle and mentor Raja Raja Varma and his mother, Umayamba Bayi, a poet in her own right. Varma was much sought after by the Royals and owing to his popularity and reputation, his spectacular and richly-textured works were prolific. His realistic portrayals of contemporary figures and interpretations of religious and mythological figures fetched him instant and enduring success, lifting his standing in the art world. If the Royals and his countrymen were in awe of this great talent, the international world was spellbound by his imagination and creativity. He ensured that art would be accessible to all, through reproductions of his paintings which were made available, and affordable to everyone.

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