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 create lifelike images, so that people could worship the gods with a renewed faith.

The birth of Shakuntala

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.

 

 

Ravi Udaya Vijaya Press, c.1910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saraswati

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.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1920s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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  is being distributed to various communities including Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and European. The cow is being threatened by the demon Kali-yuga as Dharmaraja defends it.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1920s

 

Sagara Manthana

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.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1920s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matsya Avatara

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

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1920s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temptress

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.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Śeṣaśāyī

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 8th 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.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hari Hara Bheta

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.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rama with his three brothers

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 19th 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.

 

 

Ravi Vijaya Press, c.1900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vishnu with Rukmini and Satyabhama

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 still remain highly popular.

 

 

Ravi Varma Press, c.1900