Ganesh

Ravi Varma Press, c1900

In the late 19th century, lithographic presses in India began to print popular images of Hindu deities that were often used in household puja (worship). This exhibition combines lithographic prints with clay figures of deities made in southern India. Like the lithographs, these figures were mass produced and used in household puja.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krishna

Ravi Varma Press, early 20^th century

Devotional lithographs were often called calendar art because they were sold with tear off paper calendars. These prints were inexpensive, colourful and widely available across India.  Images of deities, in certain scenes and poses, became increasingly standardised across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanuman

With Rama and Lakshman

Ravi Varma Press, c1900

The Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press was the first to produce lithographs in India on a mass scale. Working closely with his brother, C Raja Raja, Ravi Varma opened his first lithographic printing press in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1894.  Ravi Varma drew on influences from photography and oil portraiture to capture a single perspective in his artwork. He deliberately created a vitality to his prints so that people could worship the gods with a renewed faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The birth of Shakuntala

Ravi Udaya Vijaya Press, c.1910

This image was copied from the very first print of the Ravi Varma Press. Numerous lithographic presses in Maharashtra took advantage not only of Ravi Varma’s artwork but also his name, as can be seen in this example from the Ravi Udaya Vijaya Press.

 

This print shows the Sadhu, Vishwamitra, rejecting his daughter Shakuntala. Her mother, Menaka, was a celestial nymph sent to distract him from his spiritual meditations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saraswati

Ravi Varma Press, c1920s

This print of Saraswati is elaborately decorated and includes the initials of the original owner. It was common practice for lithographic prints to be enhanced with textiles, beads, sequins, glitter and gems to attract the deity to inhabit the image for puja.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saraswati

South Indian, mid 20th century

Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom, learning, music and the arts. She is usually depicted with her musical instrument, the vina. Her mastery of the instrument not only reflects her knowledge of music but represents her control over life and emotions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skandamata

South Indian, mid 20th century

Skandamata, the fifth incarnation of Durga, flanked on her right by her lion vahana and on her left by her son Skanda (Kartikeya) and his peacock vahana. Durga is a goddess of war, the warrior form of Parvati, whose mythology centres around combating evil and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity and Dharma - the power of good over evil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deva Gostha

Chore Bagan Art Studio, c.1890

This is a representation of Durga at her most maternal. In her arms she cradles the infant Krishna, whilst her other arms form a protective shield around the child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krishna

South Indian, 20th century

Krishna is both an avatar of Vishnu and a god in his own right. Krishna is widely revered and is the god of love, compassion and kindness. He is often depicted holding his flute, as can be seen here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infant Krishna

South Indian, 20th century

As a child, Krishna was mischievous. In this clay figure, he is an infant holding a pot of butter that he has stolen from his mother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kaliya Daman

c1895

In this print, by the Chore Bagan Art Studio, Krishna is dancing on the head of the snake demon, Kaliya, surrounded by the naginis.

 

The Chore Bagan Art Studio in Calcutta was active in the 1880s and 1890s. Prints from the Calcutta studios have a different stylistic approach compared to those of the south Indian printing presses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chorasi Devata Ovali Gaya (Cow with eighty-four deities)

Ravi Varma Press, c1920s

Often known as Kamadhenu, this Vedic image of the sacred cow of India contains 84 Hindu deities, some in tiny detail.  Based on Hindu imagery, the cow represents all aspects of India.  Milk from its udders is being distributed to various communities including Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and European. The cow is being threatened by the demon Kali-yuga (meaning the age of degeneracy) as Dharmaraja (the Just Ruler) defends it.

Vishnu

South Indian, 20th century

Along with Brahma and Shiva, Vishnu is one of the three principal gods of Hinduism.  Vishnu is the protector and preserver of the universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sagara Manthana

Ravi Varma Press, c1920s

The Sagara Manthana is the story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. In this print, Vishnu sits on top of Mount Mandara whilst simultaneously supporting it from beneath in the form of a turtle. The snake, Vasuki, is used as a rope wrapped around the base of the mountain and pulled by the gods and demons to generate the churning action. This causes important elements to be thrown from the water, including deities, animals and objects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matsya, the fish avatar of Vishnu

South Indian, 20th century

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matsya Avatara

Ravi Varma Press, c1920s

Matsya is credited for saving civilisation from the great flood. In this print, Matsya raises the four Vedas safe above the flood waters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temptress

Ravi Varma Press, c1910

This is Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu. She is known as the Temptress or Enchantress because of her irresistible beauty and allure.  Mohini appears in the Mahabharata.  She uses her beauty to trick the demons into giving her the elixir of immortality, which she returns to the gods. Mohini is most commonly worshipped in western India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Śeṣaśāyī

Ravi Varma Press, c1910

Vishnu can be seen reclining on Shesha, the 1000-headed celestial snake. At Vishnu’s feet is Lakshmi, and behind her are Rama and Garuda. From Vishnu's navel a large lotus flower grows, on top of which sits a small figure of Brahma.

 

This is a well-known depiction of Vishnu and its earliest form is found in bas-relief at the 8^th Century Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. There is also a large wall painting of this image at the Mahadevar Temple in Ettumanoor, near to Ravi Varma’s childhood home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lakshmi

South Indian, 20th century

Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, rose on a lotus flower from the waters of the churning of the ocean. She is the goddess of wealth, good fortune and purity and is particularly worshipped at Diwali.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shree Laxmi

Shree Vasudeo Picture Company, 1928

Although this print was published in Bombay, it was printed in Germany and re-imported to India. This was common practice in the early days of printing devotional lithographs.  Ravi Varma was the first Indian lithographer to import the printing press machinery from Germany to his own art studio and press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hari Hara Bheta

Ravi Varma Press, c1920

Harihara is often represented as the fused image of Shiva and Vishnu. It is the two representations of one supreme being. In this lithographic depiction, Shiva and Parvati are meeting Vishnu and Lakshmi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiva and Parvati

South Indian, 20th century

Shiva is the destroyer of the universe, but his destruction is believed to bring benefit to the world by removing obstacles and imperfection.  Full of contradictions, his wife, Parvati, brings balance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiva

Thakor Art Works, 1937

This is a common depiction of Shiva as an ascetic, seated on a tiger skin signifying his power over the world. From the top of his head, the sacred River Ganga flows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ganesh

South Indian, 20th century

Ganesh is one of the most popular Hindu deities. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Ganesh is seen as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ganapati

Ravi Varma Press, early 20^th century

Ganesh seated on a throne with his mouse, or rat, vahana at his feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rama

South Indian, 20th century

Rama was a prince of Ayodhya, and an incarnation of the god Vishnu.  The story of the Ramayana was a popular subject for lithographic prints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rama with his three brothers

Ravi Vijaya Press, c.1900

Rama can be seen here with his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, his wife, Sita, and Hanuman, the monkey god.

The popularity of Ravi Varma prints in the late 19^th century led to other lithographic printing presses in Maharashtra copying his style and cashing in on his name. The Ravi Vijaya Press was one of several presses that added the ‘Ravi’ pre-fix to their name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanuman

South Indian, 20th century

Hanuman is one of the central figures of the Ramayana and is widely worshipped.  He is known for his energy, love and devotion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mahavira Hanuman (Hanuman the Great Hero)

Ravi Varma Press, c1920s

When Lakshmana was injured, Hanuman was sent to the Himalayas to find the sanjeevani herb that had magical healing properties. Instead of bringing just the herb, Hanuman brought the whole mountain top of Dunagiri where the herb grew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sita Ravan Palayan

Ravi Udaya Press, early 20^th century

In this print, Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, is kidnapping Sita. She is leaving a trail of jewellery so that Rama can find her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kali

Ravi Varma Press, early 20^th century

Despite the popularity of his images, the Ravi Varma Press was not a commercial success and, in 1901, the Varma brothers sold the business and 89 copyright designs to their Chief Technician at the Press.  Ravi Varma images began to appear in advertisements, newspapers, and on commercial products.

Ravi Varma’s prints remain highly popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©The SADACC Trust