CHENNAI: Born during a pivotal era in the formation of modern Indian identity, Raja Ravi Varma played a crucial role in democratising art. His vivid depictions captured the everyday beauty of the subcontinent and brought its mythology to life, making the divine and mythical accessible to a wider audience.
Varma’s influence on the visual arts extends beyond the canvas; his portrayal of Indian women and their expressive eyes often conveying stories of their own, has inspired not only generations of artists but also the Indian film and fashion industries. His impact is evident in the costumes and dramatic cinematic sets, in the portrayal of historical and mythological figures.
In an effort to bridge the past and present, writer and art historian Ganesh Shivaswamy has launched a digital initiative — Reeling Ravi Varma — to make Varma’s legacy more accessible. After authoring a six-volume series on Varma’s life and work last year, Ganesh recognised the limitations of print in reaching a broader audience.
“Despite exploring hundreds of Varma’s artworks, thousands remain unexamined. Writing more volumes would be excessive,” Ganesh explains. He points to the evolution of society — from revolution and industrialisation to democratisation and digitisation — as paralleling Varma’s own journey from traditional painting to print. “As one of the custodians of his legacy, I felt compelled to embrace digital platforms. Unlike print, digital media allows for dynamic content such as moving images and music and engages with current issues,” he adds.
The project is not just about displaying art; it’s about telling stories. Each digital short is crafted to convey not just the aesthetic beauty of Varma’s paintings but also their cultural, historical, and social contexts. “We explore what happens behind the scenes of a painting, what occurs post-painting through the printing process, and delve into various aspects of law, such as obscenity and copyright, and how these intersect with advertising challenges. Some are single episodes, while others are part of a series,” says Ganesh.
Meanwhile, Reeling Ravi Varma also serves as both a supplement to Ganesh’s detailed written works and as a resource that caters to a broader audience, including those who might not have the patience or interest to delve into extensive scholarly texts. By presenting art in an engaging format, the initiative hopes to spark or enhance an interest in art, making it accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences. “The approach is to be not judgmental, not conditional. I don’t believe it is solely for one type of person and not another. We want to be as inclusive as possible. At the end of the day, we intend it to be a credible source of information about all things Ravi Varma,” he adds.
(‘Reeling Ravi Varma’ is available on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook)