Savitri
Raja Ravi VarmaCirca 1898
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India
SAVITRI: Savitri was the daughter of King Ashwapati and his queen Malati. Although Savitri was beautiful, nobody came forward to marry her. The king therefore advised her to travel outside to select a husband. Savitri, accompanied by aged ministers went into the forest where she met Satyavan. Satyavan was a prince, the son of defeated King Dyumatsena. After, his father’s defeat, they were compelled to lead their lives as woodsmen in the forest.
When Savitri returned to reveal the news, Narada was present who said that Satyavan was an exemplary choice except that he had only one year to live. Savitri was however resolute on marrying Satyavan. When the day approached for Satyavan’s death, Savitri undertook a fast and when Yama, the god of death approached Satyavan, it was Savitri who argued and dissuaded Yama from taking Satyavan’s life. Yama finally blessed Savitri and Satyavan that they would live for a hundred years.
This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma depicts the vehement resistance of Savirti. Satyavan is on her lap and Yama is seen as an ehtereal character in the foreground.
- Title: Savitri
- Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press
- Date Created: Circa 1898
- Physical Dimensions: 50 x 35 cms
- Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru
- Subject Keywords: Raja Ravi Varma, Mahabharata, 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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