Calendar Art, a style of mass-produced colorful prints, has significantly influenced Indian households and public spaces for over a century. Known for its vibrant hues and appealing aesthetics, it has left a lasting impact on Indian culture and society. The genre is closely linked to Raja Ravi Verma, who is credited with popularizing it by establishing the first printing press dedicated to his artworks in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, in 1894.
His goal was to democratize art by making it accessible to a wider audience through large-scale printing. Verma’s mythological paintings, including depictions of deities such as Lakshmi, Shakuntala, and Damayanti, were widely distributed as calendar prints.
Calendar Art, a style of mass-produced colorful prints, has significantly influenced Indian households and public spaces for over a century. Known for its vibrant hues and appealing aesthetics, it has left a lasting impact on Indian culture and society. The genre is closely linked to Raja Ravi Verma, who is credited with popularizing it by establishing the first printing press dedicated to his artworks in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, in 1894.
His goal was to democratize art by making it accessible to a wider audience through large-scale printing. Verma’s mythological paintings, including depictions of deities such as Lakshmi, Shakuntala, and Damayanti, were widely distributed as calendar prints.
From the early 1900s to the 2000s, calendar art covered four main themes: religious, patriotic, film, and landscapes.
Religious themes predominated, featuring vibrant illustrations of Hindu gods and goddesses, which served both decorative and educational purposes.
Patriotic themes emerged during India’s freedom struggle, with iconic motifs like Mother India and the mother-son duo of Krishna and Yashodha, fostering nationalism and cultural identity. Calendar art also conveyed anti-colonial sentiments through symbolic imagery, such as a caged parrot being freed by a woman, representing liberation from British rule.
Additionally, film and theatre advertising found a platform in calendar art, with painted posters of movie stars and theatrical scenes bridging traditional art and contemporary entertainment. Influenced by Western drawing techniques, particularly the single-point perspective, calendar art achieved depth and realism, enhancing its visual appeal.
Title – Goddess Lakshmi
Galleria VSB’s collection
Title – Lord Shiva holding Ganga
Galleria VSB’s collection
Saraswati
Raja Ravi Varma
From the early 1900s to the 2000s, calendar art covered four main themes: religious, patriotic, film, and landscapes.
Religious themes predominated, featuring vibrant illustrations of Hindu gods and goddesses, which served both decorative and educational purposes.
Patriotic themes emerged during India’s freedom struggle, with iconic motifs like Mother India and the mother-son duo of Krishna and Yashodha, fostering nationalism and cultural identity. Calendar art also conveyed anti-colonial sentiments through symbolic imagery, such as a caged parrot being freed by a woman, representing liberation from British rule.
Additionally, film and theatre advertising found a platform in calendar art, with painted posters of movie stars and theatrical scenes bridging traditional art and contemporary entertainment. Influenced by Western drawing techniques, particularly the single-point perspective, calendar art achieved depth and realism, enhancing its visual appeal.
Raja Ravi Varma revolutionised Indian art by making divine and mythological figures accessible through calendar art, which revived interest in epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. During the freedom struggle, calendar art became a tool for spreading nationalist ideas.
Artists like S. M. Pandit, Hem Chander Bhargava, B.G. Sharma, Yogendra Rastogi, and J. P. Singhal further enriched this art form with their unique styles. Pandit’s detailed portraits, Bhargava’s intricate designs, Sharma’s spiritual finesse, Rastogi’s blend of modern and traditional aesthetics, and Singhal’s contemporary touch diversified and popularized calendar art. This art form, combining traditional themes with modern techniques, reflects the evolving tastes of the Indian populace and remains a beloved cultural phenomenon.
Galleria VSB is proud that it possesses some of the earliest masterpieces by the legendary Raja Ravi Varma, offering a unique glimpse into the pioneering works of one of India’s most celebrated artists. Visit our collection to experience the timeless beauty and artistic genius of Raja Ravi Varma.
SUDAMA HOLDING KRISHNA STATUE
22 inches X 18 inches
Tempera On Sheet
LORD GANESHA
25 inches X 21 inches
Tempera On Sheet
KRISHNA HOLDING FLUTE
25.5 inches X 20 inches
Tempera On Sheet
RADHA AND KRISHNA HOLDING THE FLUTE
23 inches X 17.5 inches
Tempera On Sheet
