Raja Ravi Varma, born on April 29, 1848, in Kilimanoor, Travancore (present-day Kerala, India), emerged from a family steeped in scholarly and literary traditions. His mother, Uma Ambabayi Thampuratty ...

India's influential king of "kitsch" broke rules and blazed a trail. Kalpana Sunder explores his remarkable life, work and legacy. Doe-eyed Menaka, the nymph, tempting the sage Vishwamitra; Goddess ...