More than a century ago, a painter dared to defy the convention and was condemned for doing so. Ketan Mehta’s film ‘Rang Rasiya’ tells the story of Raja Ravi Verma and his muse Sugandha.
Born in an aristocratic family of Travancore, Ravi Varma was a child prodigy. Acknowledged as the father of Modern Indian Art, he evolved a unique painting style merging the traditional Indian style of painting with the European classic realism. He was the first to give a face to Hindu Gods and Goddesses by creating their realistic images.
His paintings based on stories from Indian mythology and classic literature created a pan Indian iconography which became the basis of an Indian identity.
He is acknowledged as the father of modern Indian art and the originator of what is called ‘Calendar Art’. SYNOPSIS
India – end of the 19th century. The famous artist Raja Ravi Varma is arrested and charged with obscenity, immorality and hurting religious sentiments of the people. His offence – painting nudes of Indian mythological characters.
A court session begins…
Woven with the case is the classic love story of the artist and his muse – Sugandha. Together they create the most amazing works of art. Her beauty inspires him to create exquisite paintings based on themes from Indian mythology and classic literature. She becomes his muse, his inspiration…his love.
The film is a tale of Raja Ravi Varma’s passions, his obsessions and his fierce struggle for creative freedom.
‘Rang Rasiya’ has screenplay and direction by Ketan Mehta . The music is given by Sandesh Shandiliya. The supporting cast includes Paresh Rawal , Darshan Jariwala , Sachin Khedekar, Tom Alter, Jim Boeven and Rajat Kapoor .
