Stumbled upon a terrific link in kamat.com
The Genius of Raja Ravi Varma
Ravi Varma was born in the royal palace of Kilimanoor, which is situated 25 miles from Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala, India. He got the patronage of Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore when he was 14 years of age, and was taught by the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu. He was later taught oil painting by a British painter Theodor Jenson.
Raja Ravi Varma came to widespread acclaim after he won an award for an exhibition of his paintings at Vienna in (CAN U BELIEVE!!) - 1873.
The lighting works in this painting of the Lady giving alms is astounding.
Found some criticism on the wikipedia
He is criticised for having overshadowed the traditional art forms.
He lacks dynamism of expression. Moreover, his approach of frontality, which is in turn an application of the western "Academic Art", has severe limitations in terms of space and movement
Another article in cyberkerala.com on Ravi Varma.
Whatever may be the pros & cons...I was spell-bound by this painting. Just notice the detailing in all the costumes..Great Orchestra! I should say!!
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