About the Book

A PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE LIFE AND ART OF RAJA RAVI VERMA, FOR CHILDREN.

When other kids were busy playing hopscotch with friends, seven-year-old Ravi Varma was painting on the walls of his house. Spotting his nephew’s artistic talent, his uncle Rajaraja Varma took him to the court of the Maharaja of Travancore to study and practice art. The rest, they say, is history.
Known as the father of modern Indian art, Raja Ravi Varma wowed the world with paintings that adapted European art techniques like realism to create an entirely local expression. His art gives Hindu gods their most popular imagery, seen today in calendar art and posters. He also established the first lithographic press in India, which created prints of his mythology-inspired paintings, in particular scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was a big step towards making art affordable for everyone.
This magnificently illustrated biography will help young readers discover the life and works of Raja Ravi Varma, the artist who was born into royalty but earned the title of ‘Raja’ for his creativity on canvas.

About the Author

Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan is an award-winning voice-over artist, poet, editor and author of a dozen works of fiction and non-fiction. She is also a former nonprofit development professional who spent two decades as an advocate and fundraiser for persons with disabilities. She won the 68th National Film Awards. for Best Narration Voiceover for the film Rhapsody of Rains-Monsoons of Kerala, in 2022. Shobha has published children’s books in India and the United States, including the award-winning Indi-Alphabet, A Treasure Trove of Timeless Tales, It’s Time to Rhyme and Parvati the Elephant’s Very Important Day. Her first book for adults, Good Innings, is being translated into Malayalam.
Shobha’s love of words and stories began in childhood with storytelling sessions and word play with her siblings.