His paintings on Hindu religious and mythological subjects and paintings from classical and literary sources were highly sought after even during his lifetime. His portraits of English and Indian royalty and aristocracy were well received.

Creator's Biography: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was a prolific Indian artist who is recognized for his resorting to the academic realistic style of painting.

Rights: The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation, Bengaluru.

Subject Keywords: Raja Ravi Varma, Hinduism, Oleograph, Gigapixel.

Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru.

Creator: Raja Ravi Varma, Ravi Varma Press.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting of Raja Ravi Varma remains relevant to a Hindu in India. Thotakacharya was assigned the North and established the Jyothirmatha Peetam. Hastamalakacharya was assigned the West and established the Dwaraka Peetam. Sureshvaracharya was assigned the South and established the Sringeri Sharadha Peetam. Padmapadacharya was assigned the East and established the Govardana Peetam or Math. He also designated them with Mahavakyas and allocated them with each of the Vedas. Adi Shankaracharya ordered his disciples to manage four Mathas or Peetas in the north, east, west and south of India in order to ensure the continued preaching of the Vedanta. The four disciples seated around the Guru are Padmapadacharya, Thotakacharya, Hastamalakacharya and Sureshwaracharya. He lived in the early 8th Century and primarily focused his life on consolidating the Doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He is attired with a red shawl and is surrounded by his four disciples. ADI SHANKARACHARYA is the central figure in this print.

Jagadguru shankaracharya