Photographer G Venkat Ram has designed a unique calendar for 2020 for the NAAM Charitable Trust, Recreating Raja Ravi Varma Paintings with south Indian women actors and dancers to celebrate “the spirit of Indian womanhood”. NAAM, founded by actor-director Suhasini Maniratnam, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Recreating Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings with Indian actresses is a fascinating fusion of classical art and contemporary glamour. Many photographers and artists have taken inspiration from Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic works and reimagined them with modern actresses, Khushbu, Shruti Haasan, Ramya Krishnan, Aishwarya Rajesh, Samantha Akkineni, Nadhiya, Lakshmi Manchu, Lissy, and dancers Priyadarshini Govind and Chamundeshwari bringing a fresh yet nostalgic touch to these masterpieces.
Check out Recreating Raja Ravi Varma Paintings With Actress
- Samantha Akkineni – An expectant mother holding a fruit symbolic of a new life.
2. Lakshmi Manchu – Portrait of Rani Chimnabai 1 after whom Lakshmi Vilas palace in Tanjore is named.
3. Shruti Haasan – Portrait of Rani of Kurupam.
4. Priyadarshini Govind – Kadambari, Portrait of a modern, intellectual Bengali lady.
5. Chamundeswari – Portrait of Maharani Lakshmi Bayi who became the senior rani of Travancore.
6. Lissy Lakshmi – Portrait of a royal woman from Kerala inspired by Raja Ravi Varma ‘s style.
7. Aishwarya Rajesh – Portrait of a high-minded woman, the Rani of Pudukottai.
8. Khushbu – Portrait of a Maharashtrian lady after a temple visit.
9. Shobana – ‘There comes papa’ portrait of Ravi Varma ‘s daughter Mahaprabha.
10. Ramya Krishnan – Damayanti listens in rapt attention to the tales of Nala from the swan.
11. Nadiya – This painting reflects the private lives of women from different social backgrounds.
12. Shruti Haasan – Radha in the moonlight.
The limited-edition calendars and booklets featuring the 12 women were launched at The Folly, Amethyst, in Chennai on February 3. A press release said that proceeds from the sale of the items will be used to raise funds for empowering single women from under-served segments of society.
Credits for the images of Recreating Raja Ravi Varma Paintings:
- Photography: G Venket Ram
- Post-production: Disha Shah
- Styling: Amritha Ram
- Make-up & Hair: Prakruthi Ananth
- Calendar Design: Padmaja Venket Ram.
