The story of C. Raja Raja Varma, better known for being the brother of India’s revolutionary artist Raja Ravi Varma twelve years his junior, began in Travancore studying alongside princes. It is where the brushstrokes on the canvas showed promise and potential which was quickly noticed by his older sibling who took no time to see that this gift was nurtured and developed. Though overshadowed by the success of his older brother, C. Raja Raja Varma became a man whose loyalty and ambition lay with the ultimate collective goal rather than the individual ambition, a testament to how selfless endeavors can go far in elevating those around us but also propelling us along.
- Raja Raja’s success was so intertwined with his brothers, by being a constant companion and an apprentice to his brother, his artistic development matured setting the stage for him to be recognized as one of the first modern outdoor landscape artists of the time adding the contributions he made by adding lifelike touches to the landscapes of Ravi Varma’s work. The contemporary studio in Bombay at the time they set up, immortalized prominent Indian and European Images on canvas. The journeys with his older brother allowed for the documentation on canvas of landscapes and Indian architecture like temples through careful attention to detail to expose the rich Indian heritage.
Both siblings journeyed far and wide across the country in search of patronage recording in vivid detail the experiences of their encounters as they went along, a deep insight into the life and journey of an artist searching for patronage but also a source of inspiration with these experiences and encounters influencing their work through interacting with different landscapes. C. Raja Raja’s detailing of various encounters was artistic and meticulously reflective documenting these experiences and thoughts in his diaries. These insights offer a glimpse into the two brothers’ artistic process to create masterpieces and understand them beyond their work and public perception. For as Ravi Varma’s brush stroke spoke Raja Raja’s exceptional final touches added depth and a lifelike quality to the work, a collaboration where two masterfully equaled one.
One of his works is the painting Baby and Princess, which depicts Raja Raja’s extended family, comprised of baby K R Ravi Varma and Ravi Varma’s nephew. It captures a particularly playful family moment while reflecting a mood of peace and harmony, a dedication to his keen interest in the bond within family relationships.
Philosophy
Like his brother, C. Raja Raja Varma was heavily influenced by Western academic art techniques which he incorporated into Indian Art. This blend of traditional art themes with European realism created a unique but compelling way of expression, capturing the Indian soul using European realism, creating narratives that resonated with the common Indian at the time. With the stewardship of his brother, this blend led to the rise of a unique way of Indian Expression in art which was popularized by the lithography that was compelling locally but opened the floodgates of opportunity and recognition the world over.
The lithography and oleograph were a way to bring art to the masses. Though created by his brother, he managed the business as a cog in the machine that saw Gods and Goddesses portrayed in a way that resonated with the locals but also made the portrayals of deities accessible beyond the confines of the wealthy Maharajas. This artwork created a uniform yet appealing image of the deities, a first of its time but also created an opportunity for people to connect with the divine through imagery made possible by the lithography.
A Diarist of Life Experiences.Recognition after death
His tragic passing came at the relative age of 46 years in 1906 which slowed his potential to gain recognition as an independent artist. Though he was mostly under the shadow of his brother his work continues to live today but important of all were his experiences recorded in his diaries consisting of several topics containing authentic accounts of the socio-political and cultural climate in which Indian art evolved during colonial times. These accounts serve as critical references for art historians studying the development of Indian Art during the 19th and 20th Centuries while giving us a glimpse behind the curtain of the lesser-known facts about him and his brother concerning their life and journey but also the business venture which they forged and managed as a group.
Ultimately C. Raja Raja Varma was a man devoted to the craft and loyalty to family. The contemporary norms at the time limited Raja Raja from fully documenting the extent of his contributions to paintings even in his diary, a sacrifice meant to elevate the success of the two brothers rather than the individual. He stood at the crossroads between the old way of painting and the embrace of modern art using his knowledge and expertise to expand the professional and commercial reach of Indian Art. He is a testament to the idea of service above self where the ultimate goal of collective success is more important than the individual.
References:
Cyberkerala.com. (2025). Vasanthasena – Painting of C. Raja Raja Varma, Contemporary of Raja Ravi Varma, Great Artist of Kerala, India. [online] Available at: http://www.cyberkerala.com/rajaravivarma/c-rajarajavarma-painting-1.htm [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].
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Saffronart. (2021). Winter Live Auction: Indian Art -Dec-15, 2021 -Lot 14 -C RAJA RAJA VARMA & Raja Ravi Varma. [online] Available at: https://www.saffronart.com/auctions/PostWork.aspx?l=36793&eid=4451&lotno=14&n=14 [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].
Sahapedia. (2020). A Family Affair: Few Know About the Artistic Prowess of Raja Ravi Varma’s Siblings | Sahapedia. [online] Available at: https://www.sahapedia.org/family-affair-few-know-about-artistic-prowess-raja-ravi-varmas-siblings [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].
Theindianportrait.com. (2024). C. Raja Raja Varma – theindianportrait. [online] Available at: https://theindianportrait.com/artwork/c-raja-raja-varma/ [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].
unknown (2025). The Diary of C. Raja Raja Verma, Brother of Raja Ravi Verma – Portrait of an Artist The Diary of C. Raja Raja Varma. [online] Flipkart.com. Available at: https://www.flipkart.com/diary-c-raja-verma-brother-ravi-verma-portrait-artist-varma/p/itmczyt9my6ymbfw [Accessed 16 Jan. 2025].
Wikipedia Contributors (2024). C. Raja Raja Varma. Wikipedia.
