A photograph of Ravi Varma himself, by Bhawani Ram, 1890's

Source: ebay, July 2005

Ramayana illustrations by Raja Ravi Varma

Source: http://www.cyberkerala.com/rajaravivarma/index.html
(downloaded Nov. 2004)

"Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was born in Kilimanoor Palace as the son of Umamba Thampuratti and Neelakandan Bhattathiripad. At the age of seven years he started drawing on the palace walls using charcoal. His uncle Raja Raja Varma noticed the talent of the child and gave preliminary lessons on painting. At the age of 14, Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja took him to Travancore Palace and he was taught water painting by the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu. After 3 years Theodor Jenson, a British painter taught him oil painting. Most of his paintings are based on Hindu epic stories and characters. In 1873 he won the First Prize at the Madras Painting Exhibition. He became a world famous Indian painter after winning in 1873 Vienna Exhibition."

Rama breaks the great bow, thus winning Sita's hand

Ravana slaya Jatayu, while abducting Sita

Another treatment of Jatayu-vadh

Rama is placated by the fearful sea god, after he demands help in reaching Lanka

"Ahalya," by Ravi Varma

Source: ebay, Apr. 2006