Vintage Raja Ravi Varma Dandayupani Oleograph | Embellished with Cloth & Beadwork | Framed Indian Devotional Art

A vintage Raja Ravi Varma oleograph depicting Dandayupani, the ascetic form of Lord Murugan (Kartikeya), presented in an unusually elaborate embellished form. The original printed image has been enhanced by hand with applied cloth and beadwork, creating a tactile, three-dimensional surface over the oleograph.

Dandayupani is a youthful and ascetic form of Murugan, particularly associated with the celebrated Palani temple in Tamil Nadu. The name refers to the deity holding a danda, or staff. Unlike Murugan's more commonly depicted warrior form, Dandayupani is represented with an emphasis on renunciation, discipline, spiritual power and youthful divinity.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) played a defining role in the development of modern Indian visual culture by combining European academic painting techniques with subjects from Indian mythology and religious traditions. His paintings reached an enormous audience through colour oleographic printing, particularly following the establishment of the Ravi Varma Press in Bombay in 1894. His printed images became an important part of Indian domestic and devotional visual culture.

What makes this example particularly compelling is its hand-applied cloth and beadwork. Fabric and beadwork have been used to enhance parts of the printed image, giving Murugan's clothing and ornaments a physical quality beyond what could be achieved through printing alone. Such embellishment transformed commercially produced devotional prints into individually crafted objects for worship and display. Since these additions were applied by hand, surviving examples can vary considerably in their decoration, making each one distinctive.

The oleograph retains its original vintage frame, preserving its period presentation. The original glass has been replaced with acrylic for safer handling and display.

Details

Artist: Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)
Subject: Dandayupani / Lord Murugan (Kartikeya)
Medium: Oleograph / colour print with applied cloth and beadwork
Tradition: Indian devotional art
Frame: Original vintage frame
Glazing: Acrylic; original glass replaced
Dimensions: H 15 × L 11 × D 1 in
Condition: Vintage condition with age-related characteristics to the print, embellishment and frame. The original frame is retained. Please refer to the photographs for details.
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.