Ganesh V Shivaswamy to Deliver Talk on Raja Ravi Varma Art Controversies in T Nagar
An upcoming talk titled 'Raja Ravi Varma’s Ravana in Conflict and Controversy' will be held at The Lab in T Nagar on July 19. The event will explore the legal battles, public debates, and cultural history surrounding the celebrated artist's depiction of Ravana.
Led by Ganesh V Shivaswamy, an advocate, author, and adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (IISc) in Bengaluru, the talk examines the intersection of law and art. Shivaswamy will discuss how Ravi Varma's artwork engaged the wider public beyond royal patrons and collectors, often sparking courtroom disputes and discussions on government ownership of cultural heritage.
A key focus of the discussion will be a petition heard by the Kerala High Court between 2011 and 2012. In that case, petitioners sought to have all of Raja Ravi Varma's paintings acquired by the Central Government under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act. Justice Chelameswar declined the plea, ruling that the government could not indiscriminately acquire cultural objects, which Shivaswamy notes became a milestone decision for art preservation.
Shivaswamy will also highlight the case of the Roerich estate in Bengaluru. Acquired by the Government of Karnataka in the early 1990s under the pretext of building a public museum, the paintings remain locked in storage in 2026, and the estate was instead slated to become an eco-tourism hub. This case raises critical questions regarding government control as a cultural custodian.
According to Shivaswamy, the work of a historian and a lawyer are fundamentally similar. While art is a space of expression and law is a space of regulation, he explains that one propels the other into deeper deliberation.
'Generally, the greater legacy belongs to Rama,' Shivaswamy said. 'Ravana has always had the lesser narrative around him, not because he is a lesser character, but because there’s a lot to debate around him. That’s what makes him so interesting to explore.'
The talk will take place on July 19 at The Lab, located in T Nagar, Chennai. Entry to the event is free and open to all. Members of the public who wish to attend can RSVP by calling 99406 20268.
