USHA'S DREAM
Lithograph on Paper
Circa
1898
Size (cms)
50.5 X 36.6
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
Not Available
Printer
The Ravi Varma F.A.L. Press, Bombay
More Info
The lithograph titled "Usha's Dream" by Raja Ravi Varma depicts the story of Usha and Aniruddha from the Bhagavata Purana. Usha, the daughter of the powerful asura king Banasura, dreams of a handsome young prince and falls in love with him, without knowing who he is. Confused and curious, she shares her dream with her close friend Chitralekha, who is skilled in painting and magic. To help her, Chitralekha draws portraits of many princes. When she finally paints Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna, Usha immediately recognizes him with joy. Using her magical powers, Chitralekha brings Aniruddha to Usha’s palace, which leads to their secret union and later, a great battle between Krishna and Banasura follows.
This story beautifully blends love, fate, and divine magic, and is a celebrated tale from Hindu mythology.
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