Home / Arts and Entertainment / Ravi Varma Masterpiece Fetches Record ₹167 Crore
Ravi Varma Masterpiece Fetches Record ₹167 Crore
11 Apr
Summary
- Raja Ravi Varma's 'Yashoda and Krishna' sold for ₹167.2 crore.
- The painting was acquired by Cyrus Poonawalla of the Serum Institute.
- India declared the artwork a 'Non-Exportable National Treasure'.
Raja Ravi Varma's renowned masterpiece, "Krishna and Yashoda," recently commanded a staggering ₹167.2 crore at a Mumbai auction, setting a new record for Indian artwork sold at auction. This iconic oil-on-canvas, created around the 1890s, depicts a tender maternal moment between infant Lord Krishna and his foster mother, Yashoda. The work blends Western oil-painting techniques with Indian mythological themes, a hallmark of Varma's style.
Billionaire Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Serum Institute of India, emerged as the successful bidder. Following the sale, the Indian government has classified "Krishna and Yashoda" as a "Non-Exportable National Treasure" under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, mandating its permanent stay in India.
Poonaawalla has expressed his intention to display the celebrated painting periodically for public appreciation, rather than confining it to private collection. Raja Ravi Varma, often hailed as the "Father of Modern Indian Art," was known for making Indian deities relatable through his art, democratizing access via affordable lithographic prints.
