Ravi Varma’s kin seek Bharat Ratna for him-The Hindu-26-07-2022

Context :
Ahead of the 175th birth anniversary fete of the legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, who revolutionized Indian aesthetics and redefined art practice during the colonial era, the erstwhile royal family of Kilimanoor has urged the Union government to posthumously confer the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, on him.

PRELIM
Who is Ravi Verma
Raja Ravi Varma was an Indian painter and artist. He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art. He was born on 29 April 1848 and died on 2 October 1906.
The following is a list of the prominent works of Ravi Varma. On the anniversary of what would be his 150th birthday, Google Arts and Culture released over 300 of his works online for everyone to view.
Mohini playing with a ball
Yashoda and Krishna
Village Belle
Lady Lost in Thought
Damayanti Talking to a Swan
The Orchestra
Arjuna and Subhadra
The heartbroken
Swarbat Player
Shakuntala
Lord Krishna as Ambassador
Jatayu, a birds devotee of Lord Rama is mauled by Ravana
Victory of Indrajit
The gypsies
A Lady Playing Swarbat
Lady Giving Alms at the Temple
Lord Rama Conquers Varuna
Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala
Nair Woman
Romancing Couple
Draupadi Dreading to Meet Kichaka
Shantanu and Matsyagandha
Shakuntala Composing a Love Letter to King Dushyanta
Girl in Sage Kanwa's Hermitage (Rishi-Kanya)
Bharani Thirunal Lakshmi Bayi of Travancore
Sri Shanmukha Subramania Swami
Woman holding a fan
3D painting of the Mysore king on a horse (available at the Mysore palace)

He had made around 7,000 paintings before his death at the age of 58. But only one painting is
now left in ‘Chithrashala,’ the artist’s studio at Kilimanoor Palace — an unfinished portrait of ‘Parsi lady’ which was his last work.

Conclusion :
Raja Ravi Verma has contributed approx 7000 paintings. His works are one of the best examples of the fusion of European academic art with a purely Indian sensibility and iconography. He also managed to improve artistic knowledge and spread the importance of art among the Indian people. Through his printing press, Varma's humanized depiction of Hindu pantheon traveled beyond the surfaces of costly canvases, and into the prayer. His paintings continue to inspire generations and exert influence on art, architecture, culture, religion, textiles, ceramics, and fashion accessories even now.