When it comes to the democratisation of art in India, the names of Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) and the Ravi Varma Press are the first to come up. They are considered instrumental in popularising fine art and prints in India, even though they were not the only ones. At our Online Talk #TheShapingOfAnArtist, author Ganesh V. Shivaswamy looks at the life and times of Raja Ravi Varma and how he created images which found widespread acceptance and appreciation among common men and women. He also examines the various aspects that influenced the artist such as Hindu scriptures, dance, models, photography, European art and others.

About the speaker

Ganesh V. Shivaswamy is a lawyer from Bengaluru who has taken up the task of structuring the artistic legacy of Raja Ravi Varma. He is the honorary curator of the new wing of the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, which is specifically dedicated to the works of Ravi Varma and associated artists, and has spoken extensively on the legacy of the artist. He is the author of a six-volume book series, Raja Ravi Varma: An Everlasting Imprint which explores the social, religious and aesthetic impact of the images from the Ravi Varma Press on the people of the Indian sub-continent and beyond.