Raja Ravi Varma’s Ravana: Ganesh V Shivaswamy on the painting that sparked courtroom battles

Raja Ravi Varma has been in the news this year for many ‘expensive’ reasons, most notably after his Yashoda and Krishna sold for a record ₹167.2 crore. Yet, beyond auction houses and gallery displays, the celebrated artist’s works have been at the centre of public debate, legal disputes, and cultural conversations. An upcoming talk by advocate, author, and adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (IISc), Bengaluru, Ganesh V Shivaswamy explores the lesser-known legacy, examining how Ravi Varma’s art reached far beyond royal patrons and collectors to engage wider public discussion.