Photograph of the painting 'Harischandra and Taramati'

In the 1890's when the paintings by Raja Ravi Varma made their way from Kilimanoor to Baroda, they were displayed for public view at Trivandrum and Bombay (now Mumbai). These paintings were immensely popular leading to a public demand for photo-copies of these paintings. Many of the paintings by Raja Ravi Varma came to be photographed by persons like V. G. Chiplunkar, S. N. Joshi, C Raja Raja Varma and the Prince of Aundh, Balasaheb. These rare photographs (Circa 1890-1906) offer us a rare glimpse into the paintings when they were freshly painted. In addition to being a valuable archive, they would offer invaluable assistance to conservators who seek to restore these works. This is a photograph of the painting by Raja Ravi Varma of Harishchandra and Taramati. In fact, this is the very painting which eventually made its' way to the Baroda Durbar.