Question

Which among the following were the themes of paintings made by Raja Ravi Varma?

• A. Shiva-Parvati
• B. Ramayana and Mahabharata
• C. Barahmasa
• D. Bhagvata Purana

Hint:

Raja Ravi Varma is often called the "Father of Modern Indian Art" partly because he was the first to visualize the characters of the great epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) in a realistic, humanized way that resonated with the masses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks about the subject matter or themes of the paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, one of the most celebrated artists of 19th-century India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Raja Ravi Varma is renowned for his fusion of European academic art techniques with purely Indian themes. While he painted portraits and scenes of daily life, his most significant and popular works were based on Hindu mythology and literature. He is particularly famous for his large-scale oil paintings depicting scenes and characters from the great Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. His depictions of characters like Dushyanta and Shakuntala, Nala and Damayanti, and scenes like Ravana abducting Sita became iconic. He also painted numerous themes from the Puranas, including depictions of Shiva-Parvati and stories from the Bhagvata Purana. However, the most encompassing and defining subjects of his work are the grand narratives of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which made his art accessible and popular across India through oleograph prints.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Among the given options, the Ramayana and Mahabharata represent the most prominent and central themes of Raja Ravi Varma's paintings.