Raja Ravi Varma had a penchant for depicting women from Kerala, in various moods and often seen with musical instruments. The artist himself had a great fondness for music and hence he translated his love for it by showing many of his female characters playing musical instruments. Here, Mahananda, a Malayalee lady wearing the traditional mundu, is seen in pensive mood, playing the veena. At her feet is a copper spittoon and a spouted brass water pot.
The Subject:
The painting features a Malayalee woman, likely of the Nair community, known for their traditional attire and lifestyle.
She is wearing a mundu (a type of sari), possibly a kasavu (golden-bordered sari) worn on special occasions, indicated by the golden zari work.
Her attire and hairstyle highlight the scene's setting in Kerala, a region often featured in Ravi Varma's work.
The woman is playing the veena, a traditional Indian musical instrument, with her fingers elegantly placed on its strings.
Her contemplative gaze, looking beyond the instrument, suggests a pensive mood and perhaps a journey of thought.
The Setting:
The woman is seated on a couch, possibly on a veranda, as suggested by the background greenery and pillars.
The setting provides a comfortable space for the woman to play her instrument, with the rug and couch adding to the scene's richness.
The background, with its greenery and pillars, suggests a transition between interior and exterior spaces, adding a sense of depth to the painting.
The Art and Style:
Ravi Varma, known for his ability to blend Western aesthetics with Indian iconography, created this painting in his signature style.
The painting's use of color and light, along with the details in the subject's clothing and the setting, contribute to its overall beauty and appeal.
"Mahananda" is a testament to Ravi Varma's skill in capturing the essence of Indian culture and artistry.
This oleograpah dated back to Circa 1906-10 from Ravi Varma Press Karla Lonavalla
