Editorials

An Editorial is a statement or article by a news organization, newspaper or magazine that expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial board, or publisher.

 An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers.

 An editorial is a short essay that shares an newspaper opinion on a current event or social issue. . Editorials often focus on controversial issues with widely different viewpoints.

Requirements for article length varies according to each publication's guidelines, as do a number of other factors such as style and topic. An average editorial is 750 words or less.  It is usually unsigned. Editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

 Editorial Writing guidelines 

Editorials are generally printed either on their own page of a newspaper or in a clearly marked-off column, and are always labelled as editorials to avoid confusion with news coverage. They often address current events or public controversies. 

Generally, editorials fall into broad types: The goal of all editorials is to share an opinion and persuade an audience, there are editorial style variations. The different types depend upon the goal of the article and can be divided into four categories:

Types of editorials. 

• News/Interpretive: An interpretive editorial explains and provides background information on an event or issue. This type of editorial aims to raise awareness and discuss how the topic is relevant to the reader.
• Policy/Critical: The critical format focuses on the various causes of a problem and suggests a solution. For example, you might critique a policy that relates to your issue to advocate for a specific change.
• Social/Persuasive: This type of editorial appeals directly to the reader and encourages them to take action. The persuasive format focuses on the reader's ability to change a situation by following your advice.
• Special. /Praising: A praising editorial shows appreciation for a person or organization based on their involvement in an issue

Part of Editorial

Introduction: Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories.  The introduction builds a reader's interest in the topic and gives an overview of the issue.Education Policy
Argument: An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues. The argument presents your opinion along with reasons why the audience should agree with you
Evidence: The evidence supports your argument with facts, research or anecdotes. A timely news angle 
 Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issue the writer addresses The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion
Counterargument: All editorial writers should establish credibility by presenting a fair review of the perspectives involved. While a praising editorial might be mostly positive with a brief reference to an issue, a critical editorial needs to address the opposing perspective directly. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized.
 Refutation: After sharing the counter-argument with a reader, the writer must explain why that argument is not accurate or relevant. Refuting the counterargument allows you to promote your point of view while still seeming fair.
Conclusion: In the final para, A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion.

Many magazines also feature editorials, mainly by the editor or publisher of the publication. Additionally, most print publications feature an editorial, or letter from the editor, followed by a Letters to the Editor section. Most editorial pieces take the form of an essay or thesis, using arguments to promote a point of view. 

 

 

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History Television

 Television is a significant in development of human civilization. It is deeply ingrained with Arts, Science and Commerce. Television is a system for converting visual images (with sound) into electrical signals, transmitting them and displaying them electronically on a screen. Television has become an intrinsic part of our life and established an important place in our lives. Television is one of the most popular medium of education and mass entertainment. It is a combination of both visual and audio medium.x. Generally TV is an instrument for converting visual images (with sound) into electrical signals, transmitting them and displaying them electronically on a screen.

History Of Television 

TV is quite recent in India.  TV telecast can given, the first transmission of TV experimentally started in 1920 in USA.  In 1930 a TV station started in New York, in England BBC had its own TV Station. But due to the second world war TV transmission was hampered in entire globe. After  the world war II , TV station started working and in western countries wide spread transmission occurred. By 1948, there were 48 TV stations in 25 cities in USA and they had 2 lakh TV sets in a period of 10 years. Around 512 TV stations came into existence Canada, Japan, European countries which saw many technical advances.

India received its first bunch of TV sets towards the end of 1959 from the help of UNESCO; it was an initiative from Government of India.  UNESCO donated 20,000 dollars for having TV sets in community centers in  India.USA also donated many types of equipment, Philips India Company donated a low cost transmitter and later on Delhi had its experimental TV station to transmit programmes within 40 km radius. To help viewers watch these programmes 180 telecubs were organized. Every teleclub has a TV set donated by UNESCO, these centers developed as centre from community education and other activities. There used to be two days TV programme in a week and every programme was of 20 minutes duration. These programmes were prepared at Delhi in an advanced TV station.

In 1961 UNESCO conducted a study on effect of TV programme in Indian population. The report was encouraging and in the same year school TV programme started. School teachers in Delhi were trained with the help of TV programmes. This helped those schools who had no organized science labs. In India the TV viewership slowly increased. An entertainment programme was started on 15 August, 1965, it was transmitted which was initially for one hour daily and included some news items.

Government of Germany established a studio to prepare programmes on 26th January 1967 the first agriculture based TV programme Krishi Darshan was transmitted. Delhi, UP and Haryana could view it in 180 rural centres. This programme was liked by farmers all around. Subsequently the Delhi TV transmission programme was increased from 1 hr to 1:30 hrs. On 15thAugust 1965, the transmission time was increased to two hours on Sundays. It was on 3rd December 1971 English news was broadcasted. In Oct 1972 Bombay TV station was established, by 1973 Srinagar and Amritsar TV station came into existence and transmitted by their own programmes. The same year Pune started telecasting Bombay station programme by relay. In 1970 there was a TV station in every corner of the country. In 1970, 23,000 TV sets were imported. In 1975 this number increased to more than one lakh. Calcutta, Madras, and Lucknow established TV stations in 1975. Modernised TV sets where available in India and by 1976 the TV world in India got a new name Doordarshan, 54 high transmitters, 371 low powered transmitters, 69 very low powered transmitters and 14 ordinary transmitters could cover almost 63 per cent of population.

SATELLITE INSTRUCTIONALTELEVISION EXPERIMENT (SITE)

In 1976, UNESCO conducted an experiment on satellite communication in India. The success of Satellite Instructional Television Experiment or SITE proved that television transmission would be possible and useful in India. 

For the first time educational programmes were beamed through satellite in India. The programmes were shown in 2400 villages in 20 districts of six Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. According to 1971 census of India, the states having the most number of backward districts in the country were selected. Later on with help of transmitters 2500 villages and small towns of 6 states were able to view programme. Hyderabad, Kurnool, Medak, Mehbubnagar, Andra Pradesh, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bijapur of Karnataka, Muzzafarpur, Chaparan, Saharsa, Darbhanga of Bihar, Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg of MP. Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhmal of Odissa, Jaipur Kota, and Sawai Madhopur of Rajasthan, were the districts who got the benefit of this progamme.

The transmitted programmes were of mostly of two categories:

 Educational Television (ETV) and Instructional Television (ITV). 

The main purpose of these programmes was to educate the rural mass. Educational programmes prepared by students of schools and colleges of were attractive and creative. Daily programmes included education, agriculture, family planning, health for duration of around four hours. Through the satellite the programmes transmitted were for one video channels and two audio channels and hence these programme were transmitted in two different languages. In the school time these programmes were broadcasted for one half hour. On holidays it was used for training teachers, more then one lakh primary school teachers were being trained through these programmes. 

Instructional programmes were basically meant for illiterate elderly people. They were broadcasted for 2.5 hours during evenings. The programmes were related to health, education, hygiene, improved agricultural practices and important national events. These programmes were transmitted in four languages like Hindi, Odia, Telugu and Kannada. In addition to this a Hindi news bulletin of 30 minutes duration was being transmitted in 4 states. 

CABLE AND SATELLITE TVTRANSMISSION

In 1975 Satcom-1, one of the first generation geostationary comsats built by RCAAmericon was crucial in expansion of TV through cable in towns and villages. In 1990 cable TV brought an undeniable change in Indian Television scenario. Earlier cable TV was telecasting only in Mumbai but later it became popular even in small towns.  The antenna is faced towards the direction in which the signals are being received. Cable TV operators set up a control room in one place and through wires or cable connection to viewers TV provided television signals. The cable operators transmit programmes, movies, serials, music according to the demand of the viewers. The viewers paid one time connection charges and a monthly rent to the cable operators. 

Satellite Transmission Services 

We all know our solar system has eight planets, many have their satellites. But man by his own scientific knowledge has managed to create artificial satellites for purpose of communication. These satellite are rotating in the solar system in their own orbit and are helping send signals and information to the earth. Therefore, in general terms satellite are electronic devices situate far from earth are working as source of communication for earth. Most important is that satellite thousands of km far away from they send information.  Each satellite through its own transponders receives and expands it and sends back the signals to the earth. The satellite overcomes the geographical barriers and can send signals to every nook and corner of earth. At low cost to far away places on Earth or isolated places

DTH 

DTH means Direct-to-Home it is the receiving of satellite signals directly to the TV set from direct broadcast satellite. This new generation satellite TV signal reaches every home through a small circular antenna. In 1994, Hughes Communication of USA started the DTH services called the DirecTV. DTH broadcasting uses the upper portion of KU band transponders in a satellite to send hundreds of channels for down linking on earth.

Indian government permitted the reception and distribution of satellite television signals in November 2000. Dish Tv launched first DTH service in India on October 2, 2003. Indian national broadcast organisation Prasar Bharati started DTH service in India in 2004. Later on private play as like Reliance Big TV, Zee Dish TV, Airtel, DTH, Videocon, D2H, Tatasky, Sun Network, etc. expanded their services. Doordarshan transmitted through ‘GSAT-15’ satellite from 93.5 East. DD is giving free service of 80 channels to the viewers. Aspect TRAI data, by 2013, there are 6 private companies and one government organisation serving to 110 crore TV by DTH, six private parties are giving service to 56 crore Indian consumers.

IPTV

IPTV refers to Internet-based Protocol Television where internet is used to deliver TV programs & Videos that are either live or on demand. IPTV is a system where digital television service is delivered to the subscriber through Internet protocol technology via the medium of broadband or internet connection.

It is slightly different from digital video that is accesIPTV is Internet Protocol Television, in other words this arrangement makes possible to send TV signals through internet instead of traditional satellite or cable. This can make possible for a viewer to see the programme or movie before it is fully downloaded.

IPTV refers to Internet-based Protocol Television where internet is used to deliver TV programs & Videos that are either live or on demand. IPTV is a system where digital television service is delivered to the subscriber through Internet protocol technology via the medium of broadband or internet connection.

It is slightly different from digital video that is acces

 IPTV has three modes of services: 

1. Live television. In live television, customers can view transmission or telecast

2. Time-shifted media  In time shifted television the view can seen the programme after telecast, like subsequent day

3. Video on demand (VOD) . In the third category, the viewer can see it as and when desired.

 In 1995 for the first time IPTV service was started by Zudith Estin and Bill Larry co companies, through Precept software. By Unix and Windows a viewer can see programme in his mobile anywhere and anytime. It comes to consumer via mobile network. The first mobile TV company Panasonic first introduced it in 1970 by its model TR-001. The same company had 2nd model of MTV -1 in 1977. The 2"inch screen mobile TV set was able to receive signal in many countries. It was sold in USA at 400 dollars. With 3G and 4G in the market, TV programme can be viewed in mobile telephones.

SpaceX

Elon Musk's Starlink fleet includes thousands of satellites that are designed to provide low-cost broadband internet service from low Earth orbit.SpaceX is sending thousands of satellites into space to deliver internet access, but the question of when Starlink will start sending its services back to Earth is another matter.

The company has sent up four batches of 60 satellites each, operating at a low orbit to offer latency of lower than 20 milliseconds and access speeds of around a gigabit. It's a far cry from the low speed, high latency satellite internet currently on the market, and it could help rural and underserved areas get connected at speed.

SpaceX looks set to meet that six-launch deadline this year, based on current progress:

• The first launch of 60 satellites was on May 24, 2019.
• The second was on November 11, 2019.
• The third was on January 6, 2020.
• The fourth was on January 29, 2020.
• A fifth is expected in mid-February this year.
• A sixth is expected in March this year.

One user has been able to already get online with Starlink. Elon Musk claimed to send tweet through the service in October 2019.

GENERAL SERVICE AND COMMERCIALTV

The general people oriented programme through Electronic Media is called Lokseva service. In our country Prasar Bharati is the public transmission organisation. Working under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting the organisation includes Doordarshan and Akashvani and works as an autonomous body. It was established in 23rd November 1997 to grant autonomy in transmission service like some other countries the government enacted for this in 1990 and telecast scenic structure on September 15, 1997. The commercial service started in 1st January in Electronic media service in India. Advertisement preferred to show their advertisement in TV because the transmission was widespread. So many rules were framed in connection with that advertisement. The programmes should not hurt the viewers and it should not truly sensitive issue like morality and religious thoughts which satisfied the customers and business community

1. What is Television?

 What are the benefits of Television? 

2. Discuss about History of Television.

 3. Write how TV programme is transmitted by cable.

 4. What is satellite? How TV services are transmitted via satellite?

 5. How TV broadcasting is done through DTH services?

 6. What is IPTV? 

7. What do you understand by commercial transmission?

4G- Fourth generation mobile network.

 Satellite – which received signals from the Earth and also sends back signals. 

TV station - Office of television, equipped in the transmitted gadgets and high transmitted to link with satellite.

 UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Programme—Various programmes which are telecasted in TV.

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Television Media

 Introduction: Television is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. Television since its inception has a vast effect on Civilization, ranging from health to sociological and sometimes psychological.  It is an audiovisual device which entertains you through various visual programs transmitted through the air. Today, the television is found in billions of houses the world over. As per global statistics, nearly 79% of total households own at least one TV set.

Advantages of Television

The advantages of television are discussed below –

• Television in Education: The role of television in education building has been acknowledged by many countries around the world. It is used as a tool for effective teaching both formal and non-formal education. A television could be synchronized with the school curriculum and used to teach a specific subject.Cheap Entertainment: Television is the cheapest source of entertainment available to a common household. Various programs on information, education, entertainment, religion, and other topics provide a pool of options to choose from it. 
• Educational and Informative: Television is a good source of education and information. There are various educational channels dedicated to teaching students about a specific subject. 24-hour news channels will keep you up to date about the world affairs. Channels based on wildlife, science, and traveling enhance your knowledge about various subjects .
• Skill Development: Television could be an effective tool for skill development. There are various programs dedicated to skills like cooking, drawing, singing, dancing, etc.
• Motivational: Some television programs such as motivational speeches and talk shows could also be motivational for anyone in need. 
• Wide Exposure: Television provides a wide exposure on a variety of topics ranging from world issues, news, wildlife, science and fiction, history, geography, upcoming world, and national events, sports, hobbies and much more. 
• Family Ties: Television also increases family ties as all the family members sit together to watch a movie or their favorite sports tournament.

Disadvantages of Television –

• Violent and Inappropriate Content: This is one of the most prominent disadvantages of television. Television offers a number of violent contents and inappropriate languages which has adverse effects on youths as well as elders.
• Derogatory to Health: Sitting for long hours in front of the television has a negative effect on health too. It is the cause of many lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, etc.
• Social Obscurity: Person, who is addicted to television, often avoids socializing with friends and relatives, making himself a sort of an introvert. 
• Emotional Vulnerability: Watching too much of drama on television might make you emotionally vulnerable.  Such emotional upheaval isn’t good for the mental and overall health of a person.
• Hidden Agenda: Various businesses have a hidden agenda of targeting vulnerable customers through TV commercials. 
• Shallow Information: The information that is provided by news channels on television is often only half the truth. 
• Highly Addictive: The most effective method to keep the youths safe from the influence of television is to provide limited access to them. Also, there should be a restriction on the channels they view and they must only be allowed to view informative and knowledgeable programs. Viewing malicious and violent content by youngsters must be strictly prohibited. Watching inappropriate content on television will adversely affect their behavior and social life as well as distort their thought and morale.

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Media Interview-Types

 Interviwing

Standard interviewing rules will always apply, but there may be some variance depending on exactly which type of interview the reporter seeks.

1. Phone interview

Journalists will often be located miles away from their interviewees, but remain keen to speak to them directly. Phone interviews are currently the most common form taken by media interviews.Telephonic Interview: the telephonic interview has been found a useful way of getting the views of local people when you are very near press time, which perhaps accounts for the extension in its use. For instance, suppose some restrictions on a commodity were suddenly lifted, and you were told to get interviews for a local angle story:

  These interviews will often be transcribed and published in text format,  for an industry podcast, or radio piece 

 Advantages: Wherever you, and the journalist, are in the world, there are no barriers to a interview,

2. Broadcast interview

This could be live on radio or TV, or the recording may be kept and subsequently broadcast, for example on an industry podcast.

  Advantages: This type of interview is unique in offering the opportunity to be seen ‘in person’, able to much more effectively engage people when you have access to tools such as tone of voice and – if the interview is on video – body language and gestures.

3. In-person interview-Meet-and-greet interview

This type of interview can be difficult to secure. Reporters are extremely busy and always on deadline, so when they want to take the time to meet and speak with you in person, it’s a definite positive. A meet-and-greet is an indication that the reporter wishes to establish rapport and a longstanding relationship with  a source.

4.On-the-record interview: On-the-record interviews are the most straightforward. They involve questions the reporter seeks answers to, typically for a specific story, and are pretty much a sure bet for being quoted and visible. Sometimes a reporter will provide a list of questions in advance, but this is not a guarantee or requirement. Either way, prepare your talking points and stick to them throughout your conversation. If a question comes up that you don’t have an answer to or don’t want to speak to, it’s fine to say that directly to the reporter.

Advantages: This is the quickest and easiest way to establish a rapport with a journalist, and provides a strong foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship with them in the future.

5' Off-the-record interview:

 Reporters are interested in off-the-record interviews when they are doing initial groundwork for a potential story but don’t yet have enough material to move on. While off-the-record is intended to create a safe zone in conversation,  In this interview type, the reporter has a job to do, so tailor your responses accordingly.

6. Background interview: A standard background interview means that a reporter is interested in your knowledge based on his or her area of coverage. Generally, a background interview involves speaking with a reporter to discuss trends you see in your industry, potential future story ideas and the like, but does not necessarily mean you’ll be quoted in the moment. By also sharing details of your specific focus and noteworthy experience, you can provide a reporter with a frame of reference for upcoming story needs. A background interview usually doesn’t result in a story right away, but it is a great way to establish yourself as a future subject matter source.

Written Interview: The written interview, where a person writes answers to a series of questions sent to him, is now seldom employed. Perhaps this is as well, for it is never wholly satisfactory. For one thing, a ‘follow up’ question can never be asked, and it may so happen that a written answer almost demands further questions in order to elucidate a point. In addition, it lacks the personal touch that is so essential. Avoid it as much as you can. 

7.Email interview: Email interviews are actually quite ideal. They involve exchanging questions and answers solely through email communication, so there’s little margin for error and you can control your message completely. Sometimes a reporter will request a phone call to clarify any points in an email response, but it’s generally straightforward and to the point.

7.Broadcast interview: Broadcast interviews are a different ball game altogether. For television, an interviewee has to think through not only his or her interview responses but also physical appearance, tone and body language. 

Multiple Choice Quiz
A major disadvantage to email interviews is that

 a. the reporter can't see the source's facial expression and body language or hear his vocal inflections.

 b. the source can respond with long, thoughtful answers.

 c. many sources are less accessible through email than over the phone.

 d. the reporter has an exact record of what the source said.

Interviews conducted by broadcast reporters differ from those conducted by print reporters because

 a. the broadcast interview should always make the subject of the story look good.

 b. the broadcast interview should never go into as much depth as a print interview.

 c. the broadcast interview is just part of the story, not the entire story.

 d. the broadcast interview is the story, not just part of the story.

Which of the following is NOT among the generally accepted ways of getting an interview subject to answer a difficult or embarrassing question?

 a. Sugar-coat the question by asking it in a less direct fashion.

 b. Ask interviewees what their supporters or critics might say about them.

 c. Threaten to turn your information over to police or prosecuting attorneys.

 d. Attribute the point of view implied in the question to a third party.

In regard to taking notes and recording interviews, most reporters recommend

 a. relying on one's memory rather than bothering with notes or recordings.

 b. recording the interview on tape or digitally and dispensing with note taking.

 c. taking notes of names, dates and amounts but relying on memory for direct quotations.

 d. taking detailed notes and recording the interview on tape or digitally.

Telephone interviews are best for

 a. talking to a person who is the target of an investigative story.

 b. conducting a long interview on a complicated topic.

 c. getting a few pieces of information quickly from a source.

 d. getting information from the subject of an in-depth personality profile.

A good way to get a reluctant source to speak is for the reporter to

 a. try to discover the reason for the source's anxiety and try to overcome it.

 b. threaten the source with embarrassment if she or he fails to respond.

 c. insist on the public's right to know whatever information the source has.

 d. trick the source into thinking the interview is about a completely innocuous topic.

One way of organizing questions for an interview is called the funnel, which arranges questions

 a. from the most general to the most specific.

 b. from the most personal to the most impersonal.

 c. from the most impersonal to the most personal.

 d. from the most specific to the most general.

When asking questions of interview subjects, reporters often

 a. read questions verbatim from a prepared list.

 b. organize their questions by topic to make it easier for the interview to move from one topic to the next.

 c. try to think up their questions during the interview so as to encourage spontaneity.

 d. randomize their questions so that the source will never know what will be asked next.

The best location for interviewing a source is

 a. in a restaurant.

 b. in a place where there is lots of background noise.

 c. in the reporter's newsroom.

 d. in the person's home or office.

Which of the following is NOT one of characteristics of a good question to ask during an interview?

 a. The question is likely to elicit an anecdote.

 b. The question encourages the subject to respond with a “yes” or “no.”

 c. The question starts a subject talking about her or his experiences.

 d. The question encourages the source to provide details.

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons reporters should perform background research before they interview a source?

 a. They will not embarrass themselves by appearing to the source to be ignorant of the topic.

 b. Sometimes they can write the story without having to waste time on an interview.

 c. They are more likely to have documented all relevant facts.

 d. They will not waste time by asking about issues that have already been widely publicized.

In deciding how many sources are enough for a particular story, the reporter must take into account these four factors:

 a. the complexity of the story, the ignorance of the readers, the minimum required by the editor and the degree of controversy raised by the topic.

 b. deadline pressures, the complexity of the story, the minimum required by the editor and the interest of the reader.

 c. deadline pressures, the expertise of the sources, the degree of controversy raised by a topic and the complexity of the topic.

 d. the expertise of the sources, the probable apathy of most readers, the complexity of the story and the reporter's own boredom with the topic.

In seeking the best available source to interview for a news story, the reporter primarily is looking for a person who

 a. has a knack for saying things that are controversial.

 b. will look good on video or in a photograph.

 c. knows enough about a topic to bluff his or her way through an interview.

 d. has relevant expertise or experience and is articulate.

Which of the following is NOT part of the planning process for interviews?

 a. Defining the purpose of the interview.

 b. Anticipating possible answers to questions.

 c. Devising ways to trick the interview subject.

 d. Identifying areas of inquiry.

When interviewing for a personality profile or other feature, reporters often

 a. conduct their interviews over the telephone.

 b. avoid visiting the subject so as not to prejudice their views of that person.

 c. complete their interviews in 30 minutes or less.

 d. spend many hours with the subject of the profile.

Which of the follow sets of information must a reporter conducting interviews for a news story about a crime or city council action discover?

 a. Facts and details, including dates, names, locations and costs.

 b. Relationships among the people or interests involved.

 c. Anecdotes that illuminate events or issues and make them more dramatic and understandable for readers or viewers.

 d. All of the others

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Ravi Varma

 Ravi Varma was born in Kilimanoor Palace, Thiruvananthapuram on April 29, 1848. His first Guru (instructor) was his uncle Rajaraja Varma. His painting training began  in the traditional style when in the year 1862 later he was  able to study the Italian Renaissance painting  style. Later he could learn the painting techniques and styles of painters from Tamil Nadu ,  the western style of painting, and oil painting technique from Theodore Jenson, the Dutch painter who visited Trivandrum palace in 1868. 

Raja Ravi Varma (29 April 1848–2 October 1906) was a celebrated Indian painter and artist. He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art for a number of aesthetic and broader social reasons. Firstly, his works are held to be among the best examples of the fusion of European techniques with a purely Indian sensibility. While continuing the tradition and aesthetics of Indian art, his paintings employed the latest European academic art techniques of the day. Secondly, he was notable for making affordable lithographs of his paintings available to the public, which greatly enhanced his reach and influence as a painter and public figure. Indeed, his lithographs increased the involvement of common people with fine arts and defined artistic tastes among common people for several decades. In particular, his depictions of Hindu deities and episodes from the epics and Puranas have received profound acceptance from the public and are found, often as objects of worship, across the length and breadth of India.

Ravi Varma was the son of Ezhumavil Neelakanthan Bhattatiripad and Umayamba Thampurratti. His mother Uma Ambabayi Thampuratty (or Umayamba Bayi Thampuratty) belonged to the baronial family which ruled the Kilimanoor feudal estate within the kingdom of Travancore. She was a poet and writer of some talent, and her work Parvati Swayamvaram was published by Varma after her death. Ravi Varma's father was a scholar of Sanskrit and Ayurveda and hailed from the Ernakulam district in Kerala. Ravi Varma had three siblings, a sister named Mangala Bayi and two brothers named Goda Varma (born 1854) and Raja Varma (born 1860).  Raja Varma  was also a painter and worked closely with Ravi Varma all his life.

In 1866, at the age of 18, Varma was married to 12-year-old Bhageerthi Bayi (known formally as Pooruruttati Nal Bhageerathi Bayi Thampuratty) of the royal house of Mavelikkara, another major fief of Travancore kingdom. The couple were blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. Their elder son, Kerala Varma (b.1876) was of an excessively spiritual temperament. He never married and eventually renounced the world, leaving home for good in 1912. The younger son, Rama Varma (born 1879), inherited his father's artistic talent and studied at the JJ School of Arts, Mumbai. The three daughters of Ravi Varma and Bhageerthi Bayi were Mahaprabha Amma (who features in two of Varma's most famous paintings), Uma Amma (named after Varma's mother) and Cheria Kochamma

His fame began to rise with his painting “Mullappoo Choodiya Nair Sthree” securing the first prize in a painting exhibition held at Chennai in 1873. This painting was awarded a prize in another exhibition held at Vienna in Austria. Since his acclaim at the Fine Arts Society Exhibition in Madras, 1873, he has been in the limelight and art critics and historians have sought to assess his role in the modern phase of Indian Art.

“Tamizh Mahilayude Sangeethalapanam,” a painting he drew in 1874 again received a prize in Chennai. This painting is now displayed at Sri Chitra Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram titled “Daridryam” (Poverty). 

In 1876, his painting of Shakunthala received a prize at the exhibition held in Chennai. This beautiful pictorial interpretation of a moment in Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam, when Shakunthala turns back to glance at Dushyanthan in the pretext of drawing a thorn from her feet. It is one of the most famous renderings of Raja Ravi Varma. This painting was used on the front cover of the Shakuntalam translation published by Monien Williams, the British orientalist.(Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of aspects in the Eastern world. These depictions are usually done by writers, designers, and artists from the West.)

Ravi Varma was acquainted with Sir T. Madhava Rao who was the Diwan of Travancore. Madhava Rao was functioning as the adviser of the Maharaja of Vadodara (Baroda). When he visited Thiruvananthapuram in 1880, he bought some paintings of Ravi Varma to take back with him to Baroda. 

That was the beginning of the huge role played by the royal family of Baroda in shaping the artistic career of Ravi Varma in later years. The largest private collection of Ravi Varma paintings is still with the Baroda royal family. 

In 1881, when Sayajirao Gaekwad became the Maharaja of Baroda, Ravi Varma was invited to participate in the coronation ceremony. He went to Baroda along with his brother Rajaraja Varma and stayed in Baroda for four months, and during that time he painted many pictures based on different contexts from the Puranas.  

In 1885, the Maharaja of Mysore Chamarajendra Wodeyar invited him and requested him to paint pictures. 

He also travelled widely in North India. Ten of his paintings were exhibited at a world exhibition held in 1893 at Chicago in the United States. It was when he received widespread acclaim across India as a painter, Raja Ravi Varma wished to make prints of his paintings and make them accessible to all at an affordable price. His decision to link the art of painting to modern technology marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Indian painting. 

Ravi Varma opened Lithographic Press in Bombay in 1893. Two German experts, who are Schleicher and P.Gerhardt  to help him in the Lithographic press to meet the demands of his oeuvre. (a substantial body of work constituting the lifework of a writer, an artist) From them the artist learnt German. The pictures that came out of the lithographic press reached as far as South Asia, Europe, Africa, and other places. 

In 1894, he established a colour Oleographic Press in Mumbai and started printing affordable copies of his paintings. He had to close down the press when plague broke out in Mumbai and Pune in 1897. Finally, on January 21, 1901 he had to sell off the press and the publishing rights of more than eighty of his paintings at a low price.

The Maharajas of India and the British authorities were all very eager to have Ravi Varma paint for them. The Maharaja of Udaipur, Rajasthan invited him over to paint his ancestors’ portraits. Among these, the portrait of Maharana Prathap is a masterpiece.

In 1904, Ravi Varma was given the responsibility of painting the portrait of the then British governor, Arthur Havlock. In the same year, the British government honoured him by to give  the title of “Kesar – i- Hind.” That was the first time an artist was receiving such a high honour.

 

 “During his visit to Calcutta, Ravi Varma had the very pleasant experience of being honoured by some of the leading families in the capital city. Surendranath Banerjee, a patriot and orator, who was among those who received him at the railway station, is reported to have exclaimed “We have been waiting for you for long; now we won't let you go!” There was a reception for him at the Jorasanko house of the Tagore’s when a young man brought a few sketches and pictures printed by him for the Master to see. He studied the pictures and prophetically stated that he saw the signs of future greatness in him. And it proved even so, for that young man was the future Abanindranath Tagore”.

Ravi Varma’s important Purana paintings include Hamsadamayanti, Seethaswayamvaram, Seethabhoopravesham, Srirama Pattabhishekam, Viswamitra and Menaka, the birth of Sri Krishna, Radhamadhavam, Arjunan and Subhadra.

  He created many other famous paintings including Snanam Kazhinja Sthree, Narthaki, Vidyarthi, Saraswathi, Draupadi in Virata Rajadhani, the musicians of India, AchanItaa Varunnu, Udaipur Kottaram, Bhadan, Lakshmi, Yasodayum Krishnanum, and Kadambari among others. 
Towards the end of his life, he returned to Kilimanoor and immersed himself in a highly productive creative life. 

This Lord of Painting passed away on October 2, 1906.  Ravi Varma’s paintings are available in many private collections all over India and at Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram. These are also part of the collections at the National Gallery of Modern Art and other museums.Ravi Varma painted the pictures of the Maharaja and the royal family members in the new style.

Raja Ravi Varma: The painter who made the gods human by Nanak Ganguly

http://www.artnewsnviews.com/view-article.php?article=raja-ravi-varma-the-painter-who-made-the-gods-human&iid=22&articleid=553

https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/ravi-varma-the-painter-prince-the-raja-ravi-varma-heritage-foundation/vALCtkHqGrNDJQ?hl=en

https://ravivarma.org/chromo-lythographs-by-raja-ravi-varma/

https://ravivarma.org/portrait-paintings-by-raja-ravi-varma/

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