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Sita Swayamvar

Raja Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma Press Karla LonavalaCirca 1910

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India

SITA SWAYAMVAR OR THE MARRIAGE OF SITA: Janaka who discovered Sita while ploughing a field and fostered her as his daughter declared that any prince who could string the bow of Shiva would be given Sita in marriage. The bow of Shiva was bestowed by Lord Shiva upon Devarata, a forebear of Janaka.

Upon the completion of the forest sojourn with Vishwamitra, Rama and Lakshmana were taken to Mithila where Janaka declares that if Rama was able to string the bow of Shiva, he would give Sita in marriage to him. The bow, which was placed in a wooden chest mounted on eight wheels was brought out and Rama not only strung the mighty bow but also broke it! The bow broke with a great noise stunning all those who witnessed the incident. Sita was given thereafter in marriage to Rama.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press and derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma captures the moment of the breaking of the bow. Janaka and all the members of the family are astonished and shocked to hear the sound of the breaking of the bow. It is pertinent to mention that Raja Ravi Varma depicts the age of Sita accurately for at the time of her marriage for she was merely six years old!

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  • Title: Sita Swayamvar
  • Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Press Karla Lonavala
  • Date Created: Circa 1910
  • Location Created: Karla Lonavala
  • Physical Dimensions: 50 x 35 cms
  • Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru.
  • Subject Keywords: Raja Ravi Varma, Ramayan, 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.
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

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