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Vishwamitra Menaka

Raja Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma Press Karla LonavalaCirca 1910

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India

VISHWAMITRA MENAKA: Vishwamitra was engaged in intense penance and tapas in order to attain the status of ‘Brahmarishi’. At this time, Indra deputed Menaka, a celestial damsel to disturb the austerities of Vishwamitra.

This print by the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma depicts the scene where Vishwamitra is seen engrossed in his prayer and Menaka trying to distract him

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  • Title: Vishwamitra Menaka
  • Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Press Karla Lonavala
  • Date Created: Circa 1910
  • 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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