Raja Ravi Varma

A Royal-Turned-Painter

His early life in the palace, secret art lessons and his challenging decision to pursue his artistic talents

Raja Ravi Varma: Portrait of an Artist

Potrait of the artist through the journals kept by his brother

Influences and Inspirations

Dive deeper into his artistic profession

Retrace His Steps

Explore the Kilimanoor Palace where he was born and raised

The Challenge of Capturing Ordinary Life

Rare glimpses of everyday scenes and moments inside common homes

The Sparkle In Ravi Varma's Portraits

Discover the culture and traditions behind the accessories in the artworks

The Enchanting Floral Details You Might've Missed

Explore the different ways Ravi Varma used botanical motifs

What Do Ravi Varma's Flowers and Fruit Tell Us?

Ravi Varma's paintings present a rich context for understanding the use of plants in art and design in India

Painting For Princes and Palaces

The royal patrons from Udaipur to Kerala who made it all possible

Putting India's Most Famous Faces on Canvas

Meet the aristocratic admirers who sought commissions from India's most renowned artist

Unseen Original Portraits

Portraits of important associates of the artist have come to light through the course of the Foundation's research. This story showcases some of these never before seen works.

The World of Raja Ravi Varma: Princes & Patrons

Gods and Their Jewels

How Ravi Varma embellished his prints with sequins, beads and shimmering threads

125 Years of the Ravi Varma Press

A look back at some of Ravi Varma's most popular prints

Rare Sketches That Reveal Ravi Varma's Process

Drawings that reveal Ravi Varma's meticulous eye for detail

The Master Strokes of a Perfectionist

His eye for detail and perfection that tolerated no mistake, even from his own brush