The Bombay Songstress
The Bombay Songstress was one among the ten paintings sent by Ravi Varma to Chicago, for the International Columbian Exposition for Art, Craft and Industry held in 1893-1894.
By Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
One of Raja Ravi Varma's favourite muse, The Bombay Songstress is attributed to Anjanibai Malpekar
Bombay Singer (Bombay Songstress) (1893) by Raja Ravi VarmaOriginal Source: Private Collection
The International Columbian Exposition for Art, Craft and Industry was held at Chicago, then considered the most progressive city in America.
With a sponsorship by Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda, Ravi Varma sent ten paintings to this exhibition for which he received two medals and as many diplomas.
The paintings he made for this exhibition were those that reflected the quotidian and private lives of women of different social backgrounds.
This was his way of exhibiting the variety of India and the miraculous integration that exists in this vast country.
The Bombay Songstress is a classical musician and could be any of the singers who modelled for Ravi Varma.
There has always been speculation that the model was none other than Anjanibai Malpekar, a famous singer from the Bhendibazaar gharana, who Varma came into contact with during his time in Mumbai.
Bombay Singer (Bombay Songstress) (1893) by Raja Ravi VarmaOriginal Source: Private Collection
The original painting, that was traced as recently as 2016, was till such time simply attributed to a postcard which inspired the original.
This painting is part of an important private collection.
Exhibit and references: From Raja Ravi Varma: Painter of Colonial India by Rupika Chawla and Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
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