ART PROJECT

THE ARTIST AND HIS CREATION

HAMSA AND DAMAYANTI

BY RAJA RAVI VARMA
INTRODUCTION

 Hamsa Damayanti Oil painting on canvas by Raja Ravi Varma is his very famous painting and
was done in 1899. “Damayanti is the protagonist and heroine in the Sanskrit epic, Nala and
Damayanti.

 In the story, Damayanti and King Nala fall in love with each other after hearing about their
respective noble traits, intelligence and beauty. Using a golden swan as a messenger, they
exchange messages. It appears that Ravi Varma was quite taken with this story as he painted
multiple versions of Damayanti in a variety of scenes and stances as well as other compositions
with both lovers.

 In this painting, one can tell that Ravi Varma strove to impart the same beauty to his Damayanti
that had been written about so poetically in literary sources. Each element in the picture works in
harmony to elevate it beyond just a decorative painting into a meaningful depiction of one of
Indian mythology's most romantic epics. Even in modern times, this scene and subject matter are
considered amongst Raja Ravi Varma's most iconic compositions.”
 Raja Ravi Varma
 Raja Ravi Varma was born on 29 April 1848 in
Kilimanoor, Travancore. He was part of the royal family of
erstwhile Parappanad, Malappuram district.
 He was an Indian painter and artist, considered as one of the
greatest painters in the history of Indian art.
 He is known for his amazing paintings, which revolve mainly
around the Puranas and the great Indian epics - Mahabharata and
Ramayana.
 Raja Ravi Verma is one of the few painters who managed to
accomplish a beautiful union of Indian traditions with the techniques
of European academic art. His influence on Indian visual culture is
immeasurable.
 Varma was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal and began formal
training thereafter. He learned the basics of painting in Madurai.
Later, he was trained in water painting by Rama Swami Naidu and
in oil painting by Dutch portraitist Theodor Jenson.
 He died on 2nd October 1906 at the age of 58 in Attingal,Travancore
Hamsa and Damayanti
This Raja Ravi Verma painting depicts the young beautiful
maiden leans against the wall while engrossed in the
confusion between her heart and mind of whether to accept
the proposal of marriage. She doesn’t feel comfortable to
share her thoughts with any person, so she prefers to
interact with the white swan, to loosen up. It reminds us of
lady Damyanti in conversation with the Hamsa that flew to
her from Nal.
The lady chooses to have time with her thoughts in a calm
and composed room with its yellow tinges providing
warmth to her inner self; garbed in an elegant red saree
having gold zari motifs, paired with a dull pink hued
blouse, decorated in an elegant gold floral zari border. The
soothing expression of her eyes convey a deep thought
going on in her mind. The painter has portrayed the best
feminine forms paying attention to the slightest details of
human presence.
She is so lost in her thoughts that she is not even aware of
her pallu that is hanging loose in the front; even though the
young lady is simple in her vibes and styles but she is fond
of getting dressed up beautifully with matching jewels all
over, light makeup and that hair accessory that matches
completely with her attires.
TECHNIQUES USED IN THE PAINTING
 Hamsa Damayanti Oil painting on a (83cm x 150 cm), canvas by Raja Ravi
Varma was done in 1899.
 The painting is a beautiful example of Varma's ability to create beautiful pictures
allying Western Academic aesthetic with traditional Indian iconography.
 Adopting realism, Ravi Varma focused much on the details, the play of light and
shadows, adding depth by using perspective in his paintings.
 For Damayanti’s sari, Varma took inspiration from the fashionable women of
Bombay where he spent many years. Unlike Kerala, where the sari was tightly
wrapped around the body, the Bombay women wore it differently with
interesting drapes and graceful folds which Varma found quite appealing.
 With thicker strokes, the jewels that generously adorned his subjects shimmered
in a perceived angle of light. His paintings are an abundance of life – trees heavy
with fruits and flowers, waters resplendent with its many hues, and the subjects
almost waiting to blink their eyes and continue their motion. This was a
remarkable shift from the type of art that was painted then.
 DETAILING IN THE PAINTINGS
 It also displays an interesting combination of compositional counterpoints.
The columns, rendered in a light ochre, are opposed to each other, one in the
upper-left and the other in the picture's lower-right sections. The blue sky
and water counterbalance each other, the intense white swan's feathers on
the right with the marble floor on the lowers left, and the soft pink
water flowers with the figure's blouse. Indeed, all these elements contribute
to a harmonically balanced composition.
 Varma concentrated the two red elements in the center of the composition.
While the wall was painted with a subdued tone, Damayanti's garment is
rendered with the most luxurious and vibrant red, invariably catching the
viewer's eye and making her the painting's primary focus. Indeed,
Damayanti's figure carries an impressive richness of detail, from the golden
elements of her clothing, to her intricate matching jewels from head to toe.
Submitted By: Anse Roy
Class:Xll-D