DHRUVA NARAYANA
Lithograph on Paper
Circa
1910
Size (cms)
35.25 X 51
Artist
Raja Ravi Varma - Active
Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was a celebrated Indian painter known for blending European academic art techniques with Indian subjects, making classical Indian art accessible to the masses. Born into an aristocratic family in Kerala, Varma mastered oil painting and is renowned for his depictions of scenes from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. He often portrayed Indian gods, goddesses, and historical figures with lifelike realism, drawing inspiration from traditional Indian aesthetics and the techniques of Western realism. His works not only influenced Indian art but also popularized mythological characters across the country, partly due to his pioneering efforts in lithography, which made his paintings widely available as prints.
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Publisher
Ravi Varma Press Picture Depot, Bombay.
Printer
Ravi Varma Press, Malavli - Lonavla.- Active
More Info
The lithograph Dhruva Narayana by Raja Ravi Varma depicts the divine moment when Lord Vishnu appears before young Dhruva during his intense meditation in the Madhuvan forest. Vishnu, glowing with celestial radiance, holds a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, symbolizing his supreme power and protection.
Dhruva, the son of King Uttanapada and Queen Suneeti, was denied his rightful place by his stepmother Suruchi, who favored her own son, Uttama. Determined to earn Lord Vishnu’s blessing, Dhruva renounced his palace life and ventured into the forest, where Sage Narada guided him in meditation. After months of unwavering devotion, Vishnu appeared and blessed him with eternal glory, making him the Pole Star, a symbol of steadfastness and righteousness. His mother Suneeti was also granted a celestial abode near Shiva. Dhruva later ruled wisely, becoming a legendary king known for his virtue and strength.
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