Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (AF)

Udupi, Dec 26: Hasta Shilpa Trust, Manipal has set up Raja Ravi Varma archival museum at Heritage Village in Manipal here on Sunday December 30. The museum will be inaugurated by Dr Rama Varma Sripathi, grandson of the legendary artist, stated a press release.

The museum is dedicated to the memory of Raja Ravi Varma and has acquired archival materials related to his works and the printing process during the 19th century. The Hasta Shilpa Trust has collected archival materials such as printing machines, litho stones with impressions of the artist's works, packets of special ink powder made in Germany, several original colour prints of paintings, drawings, sketches, work sheets and documents.

The release stated that the Trust aims to create interest among scholars and researchers regarding study of the works of Raja Ravi Varma and to educate the public.

The Trust had plans to begin the museum in 2006 when the death anniversary of the painter was observed, but it could not do so due to lack of funds. The process to set up the museum began only after the Royal Netherlands Embassy in New Delhi offered to support the project, stated the release.