Raja Ravi Varma & Reeling Ravi Varma
Upon the completion of writing the six-volume book-series, Raja Ravi Varma: An Everlasting Imprint, it was recognized that a lot of information regarding the legacy of the artist was left out. It remained integral to the legacy and the question arose as to how it could be documented. Ravi Varma and the Press participated in the transition of art from the patron to the public and the painting to print resulting in an unprecedented democracy of art. In the digital age, it was natural that the Varma legacy needed to surf the tide of the digital era. With this in mind, the series of Reeling Ravi Varma commenced as Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation & Reeling Ravi Varma
Reeling Ravi Varma commenced in January 2024 with the intent of looking at narratives which are based on the book-series, Raja Ravi Varma: An Everlasting Imprint but also travel beyond it. Expansive interpretations and current events feature extensively in the reels.
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation works with Maya Films, Bengaluru founded by eminent film-maker, Maya Chandra for the series. The logo for the Reeling Ravi Varma series was designed by Chennai based design firm, Design by Volo founded by Ashwath Naroth.
Institutional collaborations
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation has worked along with institutions across India in creating the series, Reeling Ravi Varma. Some of the institutions we have worked with include:
| Anantapravahah, Bengaluru | National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru |
| Bhavani Museum, Aundh | National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi |
| Chithiraalayam, Chennai | Ramsons Kala Pratishtana, Mysuru |
| Government Museum, Chennai | Shaale.com, Bengaluru |
| Hasta Shilpa Trust, Manipal | Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Kilimanoor Palace Trust, Kilimanoor | TRI Art & Culture, Kolkata |
| Maharaja Fatesingh Museum, Vadodara | University College, Thiruvananthapuram |
Guest Speakers
It is important to strive to showcase multiple voices while structuring a legacy. Towards this end, the Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation invited speakers to contribute their voices to Reeling Ravi Varma. Some of the guest speakers who have spoken for the series include:
| Arjun Bharadwaj | Dr. Radhika Raje Gaekwad |
| Arun Yogiraj | Shriram Devatha |
| Jayakumar Ramalingam | Siddhantt Shah |
| Kersi Commissariat | Suhas Bahulkar |
| Lakshmi Madhavan | Uma Maheshwari |
| Preeth Khona | Dr. Usha Balarishna |
Musical contribution
In making the series, Reeling Ravi Varma, it was recognized that the legacy needed to embrace the performative arts. This holistic approach is in consonance with the old tradition of an art form contributing to the evolution of other forms. The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation, therefore invited contributions from singers and dancers to the reel series. Some of the artists who have contributed to the series include:
| Vid. Aditi Prahalad | Vid. Rakshita Ramesh |
| Vid. Dr. Aditya Pallakki | Vid. Ramana Balachandran |
| Vid. Anirudha Srinivasa Bhat | Vid. Roopak Kallurkar |
| Vid. Anjana Prahallad Rao | Vid. Sathyavati T. S. |
| Vid. Ashwini Satish | Vid. Shilpa Shashidhar |
| Vid. Girijashankar Sundaresan | Vid. Shruthi C. V. |
| Vid. Kilimanoor Rama Varma Thampuran | Vid. Smruthi Bhaskar |
| Vid. Lavanya Krishnamurthy | Vid. Vinod Shyam Anoor |