Raja Ravi Varma by Ranjit Desai

"Raja Ravi Varma" by Ranjit Desai, translated from Marathi to English by Vikrant Pande. This book is published by Harper Perennial in 2013 and has 320 pages.

Raja Ravi Varma is the most famous Indian painter. He is said to have revolutionilized painting from traditional Kangra and Mughal styles. This book is a biographical fiction on Raja Ravi Varma.

The book starts from his childhood in Kilimanoor when his maternal uncle discovers his talent, traces his life as upcoming painter to good painter to established painter to a phenomenon and into his old age.

Raja Ravi Varma is mainly known for his pauranik (पौराणिक) paintings and royal portraits. He was ably assisted by his brothers, friends, models and disciples and was guided by Majaraj of Travankore and Diwan Madhavrao.

The book takes us through his relations and relationships with a number of female models like Kamini, Sugandha, Kamla, Anjanabai and student Frena. Author credits a lot of his portraits to his model & muse Sugandha, a Marathi lady. Their relationship is portrayed beautifully. The selflessness of Sugandha and her willingness to sacrifice everything, including her life, touches hearts of readers. It is not known if Sugandha really existed and if she did whether she was only a model or muse of Ravi Varma.

Raja Ravi Varma's defense argument at the vulgarity trial about right to artistic freedom is a masterpiece. His intellect, dedication and humility stump the readers. He was not only a painter but also a dancer and had studied Vedas (वेद). His meetings with famous personalities like Gopalkrishna Gokhale, Swami Vivekanand and Dadabhai Naoroji are also interesting.

Today's generation knows Raja Ravi Varma as India's answer to Van Gogh. Very little is known about Ravi Varma, the person. This book brings forth the human within the artist. It introduces us to the multi faceted personality.

Ranjeet Desai has managed to make the biography interesting. The credit goes to author and the personality of Raja Ravi Varma. Credit also goes to translator who has done a good job.

A must read for every Indian.