Sita Vanavas
Raja Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma Press Malavli Lonavala1928
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India
SITA VANAVAS OR THE FOREST LIFE OF SITA: Although this print is entitled ‘Sita Vanavas’, it is derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma entitled ‘Shakuntala's Impending Calamity’ and it is more likely that it depicts Shakuntala rather than Sita Vanavas. The second reason for this inference is because the lady in the picture is adorned with bangles strung with flowers rather than jewels. The person in the background is more likely to represent Vashishta rather than Valmiki as he is represented as an aggressive figure.
If this print represents Sita Vanavas, it is depicts the scene of Sita being abandoned in the forest being sheltered by Valmiki in his ashram.
If this print represents Shakuntala, it represents the scene when Shakuntala is lost in contemplation of Dushyanta when Vashishta visits the ashram. Shakuntala, being oblivious to his presence, he curses her that her lover would lose all memory of her. He is thereafter implored to withdraw his curse. Vashishta relents and says the curse would be absolved when Dushyanta sees the signet ring given to Shakuntala.
- Title: Sita Vanavas
- Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Press Malavli Lonavala
- Date Created: 1928
- Location Created: Malavli Lonavala
- Physical Dimensions: 50 x 35 cms
- Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru.
- Subject Keywords: Raja Ravi Varma, Ramayan, Shakuntala, 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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