indian famous artist rajaravivarma

Raja Ravi Varma was born on 29th April 1848, in Kilimanoor, a small town of Kerala. He is known for his amazing paintings, which revolve mainly around the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Raja Ravi Varma is one of the few painters who have managed to accomplish a beautiful unison of the Indian traditions with the techniques of European academic art. He left for the holy abode on 2nd October 1906, leaving behind his legacy of amazing paintings. Raja Ravi Verma's paintings of beautiful sari clad women have also received recognition in the west. As we move on further, we will come across more information related to Raja Ravi Varma's biography and life history:

Life
Raja Ravi Varma was born to Umamba Thampuratti and Neelakandan Bhattathiripad in the royal palace of Kilimanoor. The inborn talent of the painter started showing at a very tender age. Recognizing the innate aptitude of their child, his parents sent him to study under the patronage of Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore, when he was only 14 years old. He received tutelage, first, from the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu and then, from Theodor Jenson, a British painter. 

Raja Ravi Varma got married to Rani Bhageerathi Bayi (Kochu Panki Amma) of Mavelikara Royal House. He spent the later years of his life in Mysore, Baroda and a number of other cities in the country. This exposure helped him in broadening his outlook. At the same time, he was able to expand as well as sharpen his skills and evolve into a mature painter.

Professional Aspects
Raja Ravi Varma received systematic training, first in the traditional art of Thanjavoor and then, in the European art. He is credited with providing the critical link between Thanjavoor School and Western academic realism. His paintings can be classified into the following three categories: 
Portraits
Portrait-based Compositions
Theatrical Compositions, based on myths and legends
It is the third category of paintings for which Raja Ravi Varma is the most renowned. He was continuously traveling through the length and breadth of India, in order to find subjects for his paintings. His love for the South Indian women is depicted through his works. In many of his paintings, he has modeled Hindu Goddesses on the women living in the southern parts of India. The most popular as well as impressive paintings of Raja Ravi Verma include the ones depicting episodes from the story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala and that of Nala and Damayanti. 

At times, Raja Ravi Varma is criticized for being too showy in his paintings. His paintings are also condemned for overshadowing traditional Indian art forms, especially the ones depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Raja Ravi Varma's approach is said to lack the dynamism of expression seen in the traditional paintings. Critics have also disapproved of his rejecting the traditional models of representation of deities and reducing them to the level of mortals. 

Recognition
In recognition of the immense contribution of Raja Ravi Varma towards Indian art, the Government of Kerala has instituted an award in his name. Known as the 'Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram', the award is given to individuals who show considerable promise in the field of art and culture. There is a college in Mavelikara district of Kerala, established in the honor of Raja Ravi Verma. He also received international recognition in 1873, when he won the first prize for his paintings at the Vienna Art Exhibition.

sattriyadance

odissidance

mohiniyattam

manipuri-dance

kathakdance05

CLASICUL DANCE

BHARATHANATIYAM GROUP

indian natianjali

Bharathanatyam is a God gifted art form of Indian art and culture. It is considered as Panchama Veda created by Bharath Mahamuni. Bharathanatyam is an immensely popular form of cultural expression and source of pride among Indians in diaspora communities around the world. Bharathanatyam is commonly seen as an integral part of girls upbringing, and the dance is often used to solidify ties Between second generation immigrants and their cultural heritage on the Subcontinent. Bharathanatyam, one of the oldest dance styles of India, has Its roots in the classical dance tradition in Southern India. The cultural Heritage way back to ancient times.
Today Bharatanatyam has attained a very high status and is immensely popular and many recognized universities offer degrees in Bharatanatyam, and artistes are given international recognition and honors. Learning Bharatanatyam has become a status symbol for all, irrespective of money, religion or rank. Within a short period, this art form has reached the masses from within the four walls of the temples known as Sathir, has attained worldwide fame and has become one of the international dance forms. This pristine form of classical dance has been preserved through the centuries, to become a part of our present culture, a living heritage which is both our pride and delight. Kalakshetra, the cultural academy for the preservation of the traditional values in the field of dance music, was founded by Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale (Rani of Mysore) in 1936.
Sahana's 'NATYANJALI' is a school to preserve and teach the Bharathanatyam in the Karnataka, India. In this institution, Bharatanatyam is taught from the basics, steps of rhythmic stamping and footwork, hand gestures, eye and neck movements through which the students build strength and coordination.

India Cultural Day

India Cultural Day

The Phoenix Art Museum Is hosting, India Cultural Day on March 22nd. In conjunction with the India Association of Phoenix, there will be rewarding activities for all ages, as well as rangoli art project, Mehndi artists, Indian fashion, dance, and much more.

Taste traditional Indian food. Watch or participate in a rangoli art project using fresh cut flowers. Mehndi artists will be on hand to demonstrate the ancient art of henna body painting. The event will conclude with a lecture on the Ashrama System.

A lecture on the Ashrama System

India Art In Thailand [ Indianisation ]

Introducing Indian culture into Southeast Asia during the first Century of the Common Era is referred to as '' Indianisation of South East Asia ''. In Thailand the writing system was based on Indian script. Pali was the language of Buddhism, Indian Dharmasastras was the basis of law and political administration and Indian literature was the basis for theatre, dance literature and art.

Brahmanism was the religion of the Court and the King was regarded as the earthly representation of the god Vishnu. Brahmanism, Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism were the religions.

Indian art, architecture, government, literature, religion and philosophy had fundamental impact on South East Asia notwithstanding the Tai migrated from China. Art in Thailand from 1st - 6th C and up to 8th C in South Thailand was dominated by India. This included art made in India and imported, works copied in Thailand and other Thai made art which styled Indian concepts of form and subject matter [ the later continuing until the 16th C]. Details of Indian style work to be seen for South Thailand and I 'san are discussed in those links. 

The best examples of Indianised art in Thailand can be seen at National Museum Bangkok, National Museum Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Wat Phra Mahathat Museum, Chaiya.