Today, 29.04.2020 is the day of celebration for artists world over. Today is the 173rd birthday of the world renowned artist Raja Ravi Varma. He was born at Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram on 29.04.1848. He was popularly known as the artist among Kings and the King among the artists.
 
Kshatriya Kshema Sabha celebrated today as the day of remembrance of Raja Ravi Varma. Many artists have drawn pictures as an offering to the great artist to keep aflame his sweet memories. 

He was born as the son of Ezhumavil Neelakantan Bhattathiripad and Umaba Bahai Thampuratty. His birth star – Poorooruttathi. Even as a child he had great fascination for drawing pictures. His drawings filled the walls of Kilimanoor Palace. 

His artistic skills caught the attention of his parents and relatives. Raja Raja Varma, the artist attached to the Travancore Palace taught Ravi Varma the nuances of drawing and painting. Ravi Varma also proved his ability to sing Kathakali songs.

His fame as an artist began when he painted the portrait of Lord Baking in oil base. This was exhibited at the Madras office of Lord Baking. His astounding artistic skill surprised many and his name spread. 

Ravi Varma was honoured by the Maharaja of Travancore with ‘Veera Shrinkala’ in the year 1871. Thereafter, he joined as an artist of the palace.

In the year 1873, an exhibition of artists was arranged at Madras. The painting of Raja Ravi Varma titled ‘Nair woman adorning jasmine’ secured the first prize. With this, his fame spread beyond the boundaries of India.

In the year 1876, his painting ‘The love letter of Shakuntala’ was acclaimed as a fantastic painting. This painting was bought by Lord Benkin. Seeing this painting, Sir Moniar Williams sought the permission to use it as the front cover page of his English version of the book ‘Abhijnana Sakunthalam’.

At the young age of 28 years, he became a world famous artist. 
He has to his credit many noteworthy paintings. Few of them are:-

   Gypsies of South India 
   Hamsa – Damayanthi dialogue
   Father is coming
   Radha and Krishna
   Birth of Srikrishna
   Viswamitra and Menaka
   Nala and Damayanti
   Seetha Devi
   Lakshmi Devi 
   Saraswathi Devi etc.

He bid farewell to the world in 02.10.1906.

At his birthplace, Kilimanoor, stands an art gallery which exhibits about 55 of his paintings. It is a gallery worth visiting and experiencing the beauty of Ravi Varma paintings. 

The very memory of Raja Ravi Varma generates ripples of enthusiasm among the budding artists . To commemorate his birthday through ‘Respect by Pictures’ many young and aged artists paid their respects.
 
The Sabha is very thankful to all the artists who joyfully, enthusiastically and actively made this day memorable by offering due respect to the noble soul and sending it to the Website of the Sabha.