SHAKUNTALA WRITING LOVE LETTER
Lithograph on Paper
Circa
1910
Size (cms)
71 X 51.5
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.
Learn More
Publisher
Ravi Varma Press Picture Depot, Bombay.
Printer
Ravi Varma Press, Malavli - Lonavla.- Active
More Info
The lithograph Shakuntala Writing a Love Letter by Raja Ravi Varma captures a tender moment from Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam. Shakuntala is depicted lying in a serene forest near a lake, lost in thoughts of King Dushyanta, as she writes a love letter to him on a lotus leaf. Her friends, Priyamvada and Anusuya, watch over her with concern, while her pet deer, Dirghabanga, stays close, symbolizing her deep connection with nature.
Raised in Sage Kanva’s ashram, Shakuntala met Dushyanta during a hunting trip, and they fell in love. They married in a Gandharva vivaha (a celestial wedding), and he gave her a signet ring as a token of his promise to return. However, due to a sage’s curse, Dushyanta forgot her, leaving Shakuntala heartbroken and longing for him.
Created in 1876, this was Raja Ravi Varma’s first artwork inspired by Indian classical literature, beautifully portraying love, longing, and destiny amidst nature’s tranquility.
Careful consideration has gone into updating our Articles. If you spot any error, feel free to let us know here