My team mate presented me with this print of Raja Ravi Varma’s painting . Ravi Varma (1848-1906) is one of my most favourite artists,I consider him to be the father of Indian modern art who brought the European style of art to our traditional Indian art. It was a pleasant surprise gift on my Birthday . I read a little bit on Raja Ravi Varma and how he was persecuted for his artistic thoughts and freedom. Radical Hindu groups attacked him and even took him to Mumbai High Court for his artistic experiments. The lady in the picture ,I suppose is Sugandhya who was doing nude modeling for the artist . There used to be also some controversies around the relationship between married Ravi Varma and the model. Whatever it is the character Sugandhya has not ceased to draw curiosity and I was happy to see the portrait once again.

Understand , Deepa Shahi has produced a film “Rang Rasiya”(Color of passion) directed by Ketan Mehta on the life of Raja Ravi Varma . Ranadeep Hooda and Nandana Debsen are on the lead role of Ravi Varma and Sugandhya . The premier is taking place at the recent London film festival this month. Incidentally , Nandana Debsen is the daughter of Prof Amartya Sen and this is her debut film. Look forward to see its release in India ( if the fundamentalists really allow it to be screened).