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Arjuna Subhadra

Raja Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma Press, Karla LonavalaCirca 1910

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India

ARJUNA AND SUBHADRA: Arjuna was the third Pandava. The present scene depicts the marriage of Arjuna to Subhadra as described in the Mahabharata, Adi-Parva Chapters 218-224. Arjuna met Gada, brother of Sri Krishna who described to Arjuna the great beauty of his sister, Subhadra. Arjuna disguised as a sanyasin abducted Subhadra.

In this print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma, Arjuna is depicted as a hermit dressed in ascetic attire enticing Subhadra towards him. Subhadra is depicted a young girl shyly resisting his advances.

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  • Title: Arjuna Subhadra
  • 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, Hinduism, Mahabaratha, 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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