Maha-Jwala-Devi

Maha Jwala Devi by MV Dhurandhar circa 1923 from Jainism Tantra book, 

Another beautiful creation of MV Dhurandhar Mahajwala Devi. Showing first time to electronic media.. size 10-10 inch circa 1923-24 No details availble of this beautiful creation. 

From my private collection and not for sale. 

The text on the image, "सर्वास्त्रमहाज्वालां धवलवणी वराहवाहनां असङ्ख्यप्रहरणयुतहस्तां चेति ।" - निर्वाणकलिकायाम्, translates to "Sarvastramahajvala, who has a white complexion, rides a boar, and holds countless weapons." This description is taken from the Nirvanakalika, a Hindu scripture.

RaviVarma-India-Artist

The first book published about Raja Ravi Varma during his lifetime was "Ravi Varma, the Indian Artist", written by Ramananda Chatterjee and published by the Indian Press in Allahabad in 1903. This book is considered the first on an Indian artist and the only one published about Ravi Varma during his lifetime. 

Here's why this book is significant:

• First of its kind: It was the first book dedicated to an Indian artist, marking a significant milestone in the recognition and documentation of Indian art and artists. 

• Published during his lifetime:The book's publication during Ravi Varma's lifetime gives it a unique historical perspective, capturing the artist's work and reputation while he was still alive. 

• Authored by Ramananda Chatterjee:Ramananda Chatterjee was a prominent figure in early 20th-century journalism, known for founding and editing "The Modern Review". 

• Content:The book included 23 monochrome plates, featuring portraits of Ravi Varma and his brother C. Raja Raja Varma, along with 21 plates of Ravi Varma's paintings. 

• This book: This book was gifted to Zalim Singh King of Dewas State by the Author & it was from his personal collection. 

Sarsawati

Saraswati version 2, by Raja Ravi Varma size 14-20, Ravi Varma press Karla Lonavala circa 1910-12.

SARASWATI: Saraswati is the goddess of learning and the 43rd chapter of the Brahma Purana describes her birth from the sublime or sattvic face of Bramha. Saraswati thereafter asked Bramha who she was and what were to be her duties. Brahma declared that she would be called Saraswati and was given three duties. Firstly, she was to reside at the tip of the tongue and was directed to dance on the tongue of learned people. She was also directed to reside on earth as a river and in the third form reside with Brahma.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma follows the iconographic description of Saraswati as found in the 50th chapter of the Agni Purana. She is described in the Agni Purana as being attired in white and playing the Veena with two arms and holding an aksha-mala (a string of pearls) and a pustaka (book) in the other hands.

Early religious texts do not mention a vehicle or vahan for Saraswati. However, later texts provide for a swan or peacock. There are three prints of Saraswati by the Ravi Varma Press derived from paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. In this version she has a deer beside her.

Saraswati

SARASWATI: Saraswati is the goddess of learning and the 43rd chapter of the Brahma Purana describes her birth from the sublime or sattvic face of Bramha. Saraswati thereafter asked Bramha who she was and what were to be her duties. Brahma declared that she would be called Saraswati and was given three duties. Firstly, she was to reside at the tip of the tongue and was directed to dance on the tongue of learned people. She was also directed to reside on earth as a river and in the third form reside with Brahma.

This oleograph  from the Ravi Varma Prem Karla Lonavalla derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma follows the iconographic description of Saraswati as found in the 50th chapter of the Agni Purana. She is described in the Agni Purana as being attired in white and playing the Veena with two arms and holding an aksha-mala (a string of pearls) and a pustaka (book) in the other hands.

Early religious texts do not mention a vehicle or vahan for Saraswati. However, later texts provide for a swan or peacock. There are three prints of Saraswati by the Ravi Varma Press derived from paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. This is the most common and popular image of Saraswati.

This work is approx  Circa 1903-05 from Ravi Varma Pres Karla Lonavalla , Bombay