A series of exhibitions, lectures and panel debates will be held early next month here as a special tribute to iconic painter Raja Ravi Varma.
"Celebrating Raja Ravi Varma: The Relevance & Significance of a National Art Treasure" aims at re-examining and reviving various ideas and debates on Indian modernism, art and cinema, and especially the concept of 'Freedom of Creative Expression'.
The Osian's Archive Exhibition Godly prints - Gaudy and/or Visionary' will kick start the celebration on Ocotbet 3 at the Tao Art Gallery and will showcase a unique collection of antiquarian oleographs, lithographs and advertisements.
The exhibition is set to continue until October 5.
This is the first in the series of 52 live events organised and curated by Osianama so as to develop and nurture synergies between the physical and the virtual world of art.
Credited with bringing about a momentous turn in the country's art scenario, Varma was the first artist to cast Indian gods and mythological characters in natural earthy surroundings using a European realism.
Neville Tuli, founder and chairman of the Osian's Group, is scheduled to talk on the "Potential Impact of the Osian's Archive, Osianama and www.Osianama.Com on research, learning and education for the Indian arts, cinema and culture."
Then there will be two talks focusing on Varma by Rupika Chawla, author of 'Raja Ravi Varma: Painter of Colonial India' highlighting the 'Influence of Raja Ravi Varma on the Indian fine and popular arts and modernism' and Ashish Rajadhyaksha, co-author of the 'Encyclopedia of Indian cinema', who will speak on "Raja Ravi Varma & Cinema: Post the Phalke Connection".
A panel debate and interaction with special invitees and the audience will be held, titled 'Where do we draw the line?' and featuring eminent speakers from the realm of art, cinema and literature.
According to the organisers, the narratives Varma chose to freeze upon and depict as static images reveal a romantic angle, which was chosen as much for popularity of theme as for their essential links to Indian thought and values.
