The Luminous Legacy: How Raja Ravi Varma and Others Illuminated Diwali Through Art

Diwali, the festival of lights, joy, and prosperity, is as much a visual spectacle as it is a spiritual celebration. For centuries, artists have sought to capture its essence, from the twinkling diyas to the radiant deities. Yet, perhaps no one has shaped our collective imagination of Diwali quite like Raja Ravi Varma, whose iconic depictions of Lakshmi and Saraswati transformed the festival's visual narrative and brought divine grace into every home.

Before Varma's era, the iconography of Hindu deities, while rich, was largely confined to temple sculptures and elite artistic circles.

It was Varma, a visionary artist from Kerala, who revolutionized this landscape. His mastery of Western academic painting techniques, combined with a deep understanding of Indian mythology, allowed him to create images that were both realistic and deeply spiritual. His seminal works, particularly the portrayals of Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wealth and prosperity, and Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge and arts, became synonymous with Diwali celebrations.

What made Varma's art so profoundly impactful was its accessibility.

Through his pioneering venture, the Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press, established in 1894, he mass-produced 'oleographs' – chromolithographic prints that replicated his oil paintings with astonishing fidelity. These affordable prints democratized art, making divine images available to the common household.

Suddenly, Lakshmi was not just a deity to be worshipped in a temple, but a benevolent mother figure gracing living rooms, puja altars, and indeed, every festive invitation and calendar during Diwali.

Varma's Lakshmi is often depicted in vibrant sarees, seated on a lotus, radiating an aura of serenity and abundance, holding lotuses or coins.

These images, imbued with a sense of gentle dignity and approachability, resonated deeply with the devotional sentiments of millions. They became the blueprint for future popular art, influencing generations of calendar artists and mass-produced prints that continue to define Diwali's visual lexicon even today.

Beyond Varma, the visual tapestry of Diwali encompasses a myriad of artistic expressions.

Folk art traditions, regional paintings, and later, the vibrant 'calendar art' movement, have all contributed to our perception of the festival. These include depictions of Rama's return to Ayodhya, the lighting of lamps, the bursting of firecrackers, and the joyous family gatherings. Each artwork, whether a high-brow painting or a simple folk drawing, serves as a poignant reminder of the festival's diverse narratives and its unifying spirit.

Diwali, therefore, is not merely observed; it is seen.

It's perceived through the glow of a hundred diyas, the intricate patterns of a rangoli, and most significantly, through the timeless images of its deities. Raja Ravi Varma's legacy lies in his ability to translate the sacred into the accessible, transforming devotional art into a shared cultural experience that continues to illuminate and enrich the celebrations of Diwali, generation after generation.