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Royal artist remembered

Over 200 Ravi Varma prints on display at Lalit Kala Akademi till June 24

DISTINCT STYLE A Raja Ravi Varma print

Parasuraman may be a software professional but his heart is not as much as in chips and bytes as it is in large canvases in oil. For the past 15 years, this young man has been searching every nook and corner of the country for rare Raja Ravi Varma oleographs, printed at India's first ever lithographic press. He has managed to collect a whopping 200 prints, most of them over a 100 years old. "I am waiting to complete my collection and for that I need 16 more subjects," says Parasuraman.

And now, this personal collection of rare prints is being exhibited at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams Road.

What makes the exhibition special is that this year marks the death centenary of the artist, whose works adorn palaces, aristocratic homes and museum walls in India and across the globe even today.

"I came upon the first oleograph by accident," says Parasuraman, pointing to "Nala Damayanti" in which Damayanti's sari is embellished with tiny blue beads. "The lady who gave it to me was 85 and she had got it as a gift when she became a bride at 13. She had done the work on the print." Parasuraman has contacts with antique dealers everywhere and they inform him whenever they come across a Ravi Varma print.

While the collection has some all-too-familiar Ravi Varmas such as `Goddess Lakshmi' `Shakuntala'(in a pensive mood), `Jatayu Vadham' and `Malabar Lady', there are quite a few rare ones. Like the stunning portraits of Ramba, Urvashi, Menaka and Tilothama, which have been placed together. "You can never see all of them together," says Parasuraman with obvious pride.

The diaphanous pink sari-clad `Padmini' standing amidst lotuses is an eye-catcher. The expression on the woman's face as she looks out of the canvas tells you a lot about Ravi Varma's rich imagination and creative strength. Another must-see is `Mandodari', where the subject is clad in a traditional madisar, her jewels accentuated with sequins.

What makes this collection even more special is that many of the prints bear the signature of the artist. Many still have the name of the printers and the year they were printed. Like the classic `Tara', which was done in 1896 and `Damayanti' with the line "Printed in 1895; V. Kamat & Co., Sole Agents."

Mythological themes

That the artist drew heavily from Indian mythology for his subjects is evident as you walk around the exhibition. Lord Siva, his hair flying as he waits for the descent of Ganga with Bhagiratha standing with folded-hands is a sight to behold. So is the one on `Krishna Sudama'. "I found this unusual piece on the floor of a kitchen in Tirunelveli. It was fully stained and it took a lot of time and effort to restore it," says Parasuraman.

There are some prints (20" by 14" and 12" by 9") on sale, and they cost between Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 6,000. The exhibition is on till June 24, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

SAVITHA GAUTAM

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