Weaving A Tale Beyond The Canvas

Raja Ravi Varma was one of India's greatest artists and his depiction of gods, goddesses, mythological characters, royalty and common people are timeless. More than a century after he passed away in 1906, his works continue to stay relevant and have been reinterpreted in different mediums. 

Radha Krishna: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

Khadi, A Canvas is a unique venture between The Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, designer Gaurang Shah and the Abheraj Baldota Foundation to bring to life some of Ravi Varma's works in textile.

It was part of a larger exhibition called 'Santati, Mahatma Gandhi: Then, Now, Next', a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals whose relevance and influence continue to transcend time and space.

Making of Ganapati Textile (2018-09-26) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

Skilled weavers at work on the loom as they recreate Ganapati on the pallu of the saree.

Krishna Shishtai or Krishna as an Envoy (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Krishna Shishtai

The original oil painting from which the chromolithograph was created hangs in Jayachamrajendra Art Gallery at Jaganmohan Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka. Due to the number of characters in the image the weavers took more than 120 days to recreate the image on this 40 inch saree pallu.

Krishna Shishtai: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

The jewellery, the head gear, the facial expressions have all been recaptured beautifully on the saree.

The detailing on the shawl on Lord Krishna's shoulder is exquisite as is the jewellery.

The architectural detail captured by the weavers while recreating the pillars and the ceiling design in the durbar hall, are expertly done.

Yashoda Krishna (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Yashoda Krishna

One of the most famous paintings by Ravi Varma that was made into a chromolithograph, this saree has been painstakingly created by women weavers from Srikakulam.

Yashoda Krishna: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

The expressions on the face of Yashoda and her friend have been accurately captured owing to the high skill level of the weavers.

A lot of attention has been given to the shades and shadows of Yashoda's saree, as well as the background foliage.

The pillars are woven in a manner that creates a 3 dimensional illusion on a medium that is clearly 2 dimensional.

Marriage of Matsyagandha (Bhishma's Oath) (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Bhishma's Promise

A scene from the Mahabharata, this chromolithograph is resplendent with details. The original image shows the hut only partially, whereas the weavers have taken the liberty to widen the image's scope and complete it on the pallu of this saree.

Bhishma's Promise: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

There are more than 30 shades of coloured yarn used to recreate this chromolithograph on the saree pallu.

Each character's expression, their gestures and movements have all been woven in detail.

This part of the hut, which is not fully seen in the original chromolithograph, has been completed on the fabric canvas by the weavers. This is because each pallu is 48 inches in width.

Shankar (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Shankar

A later-day chromolithograph created in the Ravi Varma Press, this is one of the few images of Hindu deities that was incorporated into this special weaving project.

Shankar: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

A few clever improvisations by the weavers have resulted in this fabulous capture of Lord Shiva, his consort Parvati and young son Lord Ganesha on the pallu of an ochre Khadi saree.

The weavers have attempted to replicate the regal expression on Lord Shiva's face. Also notice the cherubic innocence, skilfully woven, on the face of a young Lord Ganesha.

Nandi, the gate-guardian of Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, has been captured beautifully through these intricate Jamdani weaves.

Arjuna Subhadra (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Arjuna Subhadra

A chromolithograph with detailed forest background imagery, a leopard skin upon which Arjuna leans as he woos a shy Subhadra, this is another masterpiece from the collection of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, which has been recreated on Khadi.

Arjuna Subhadra: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

Everything from the background foliage to the spots on the leopard skin have been reproduced accurately through weaves.

The warp and the weft on a loom are square, hence only squares and rectangles can be woven clearly on a canvas. The skill to create a circular illusion lies only with the best of the artisans.

Notice the skill level with which these curves have been effortlessly recreated on this canvas of khadi. These expert weavers have been practicing the profession for more than 25 years now.

Madalasa & Rutudwaja (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Madalasa and Rutudhwaja

Three characters, adorable expressions - it's like poetry in motion captured on canvas and recreated as a chromolithograph. Ravi Varma was a master at capturing the moment with his brush and Gaurang Shah's weavers have attempted the same on a loom.

Madalasa and Rutudwaja: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

Take note of the similarity between the chromolithograph seen in the previous frame and this saree pallu woven in Jamdani.

From the characters' expression and actions to the styling of their garments and the flowing tresses of Madalasa, the weavers have tried their best to recreate the master artist's work.

Minute details like the bunch of flowers in Madalasa's hand, with a few of them scattered on the ground near her feet, have been captured by the weavers on this beautiful canvas of Khadi.

Hamsa Damayanti Samvad (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Swan Messenger

One of Ravi Varma's most popular paintings, the original work hangs in Jayachamrajendra Art Gallery, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka. This chromolithograph shows a radiant Damayanti, dressed in a beautiful red Banarasi saree, awaiting the message brought to her from from King Nala, by the swan. 

Hamsa Damayanti Samvad: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

The woven reinterpretation of this popular painting, has the weavers trying to fill the 40 x 48 inch pallu with every possible detail from the chromolithograph.

The folds of Damayanti's saree and the pink lotus blossoms strewn at her feet have been cleverly captured by the weavers.

They have even managed to weave the banana plants seen in the background accurately, such that the plant is instantly recognisable on the saree pallu.

Sita Swayamvar (1880) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Sita Swayamvar

Full of characters and details, this work by Ravi Varma was part of the collection created for the Maharaja of Mysore. The oil painting is titled 'Rama breaking the sacred bow of Siva while King Janak looks on', but the chromolithography is simply called 'Sita Swayamvar'.

Sita Swayamvar: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

According to Gaurang Shah, his team of weavers took 4 months to create this masterpiece on canvas.

Notice how accurately they have captured Sita as a young girl, just as Ravi Varma has portrayed her as a 6-year-old on his canvas.

Half of Siva's bow that was decorated with strings of flowers (and broken by Rama), is seen on the ground, while the other half remains in his hand.

Rama's expression, after pulling off the incredible feat, has been clearly captured by the weavers.

Matsya Avatar (1880) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Matsya Avatar

Though the location of the original oil painting of Matysa Avatar is unknown, the exemplar created to make the chromolithograph was purchased by an Indian collector some years ago from an auction house.

Matsya Avatar: Textile (2019-10-02) by Gaurang ShahOriginal Source: Abheraj Baldota Foundation, Gaurang Shah & Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru

The woven recreation of this incarnation of Lord Vishnu, has been brilliantly reproduced by Gaurang Shah's team of weavers.

Lord Vishnu's face is charming, and the shanka and chakra have been beautifully depicted.

Using different shades of grey, aqua, green and blue, the weavers have attempted to capture the transparency of the water from which Lord Vishnu, seen in this avatar, arises.

Credits: Story

Reproductions: from the collection of Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation.

Curator: Lavina Baldota for conceptualising Santati, Mahatma Gandhi: Then. Now. Next.

Khadi Revival: The Abheraj Baldota Foundation

Designing & Weaving: Gaurang Shah.

Exhibit & References: from the collection of the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation.

Editorial content and coordination: Print Brew.

Click here to read more about Raja Ravi Varma.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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