TALES FROM THE CAPITAL CITY – 153

 

Ravi Varma paintings in Industrial School of Arts, Thiruvananthapuram

This old photograph reveals the interior of the Industrial School of Arts, Trivandrum (College of Fine Arts), where finely crafted ivory objects are displayed in large cabinets. In the foreground stand terracotta heraldic lions—still seen flanking the entrances of old aristocratic houses (Image 02 - from Thekkae Kurumkudy, Perumthanni), locally known as 'simham vecha veedukal.'

Lion figurine from Thekkae Kurumkudy, Perumthanni

A closer look at the array of ivory objects on display reveals an exquisite carving of Mohini seated on a swing— inspired by a popular work by Ravi Varma—suspended from the tips of elephant tusks mounted on a wooden base. This appears to be the same piece seen in a Travancore postcard. Also visible is a framed photograph of the Padmanabha Swamy Temple by D’Cruz, the Government Photographer.

Mohini seated on a swing

What truly stands out is Raja Ravi Varma’s 'Sakunthala' (1898), displayed on the wall. Along with Draupadi at the Court of Virata, Damayanti and the Hamsam, Draupadi and Simhika, and Rugmangatha and Mohini, it formed the nucleus of the art gallery envisioned by Ravi Varma, later evolving into the Sri Chitralayam during the reign of Chithira Tirunal Bala Rama Varma, the last Maharajah of Travancore.

Raja Ravi Varma’s 'Sakunthala' (1898), displayed on the wall.