Jaipur Watch Company unveils Raja Ravi Varma Collection celebrating a fusion of heritage & horology

Reading Time: 3 minutes

ART MEETS LUXURY

The Jaipur Watch Company, renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovation in horology, has unveiled a masterpiece that marries the realms of art and luxury. In a tribute to the eminent Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, the company introduced the limited-edition Raja Ravi Varma collection amidst great fanfare in the Pink City.

A Legacy of Artistic Brilliance

Raja Ravi Varma, a luminary in the annals of Indian artistry, is celebrated for his unparalleled fusion of European academic art and indigenous Indian sensibilities. Hailed as the first modern Indian artist, Varma’s legacy is a tapestry of divine depictions and timeless mythological narratives. Notably, his groundbreaking efforts to democratize art through affordable lithographs made his work accessible to the masses, effectively shaping artistic tastes among common people. His renditions of Hindu deities and scenes from Indian epics garnered widespread acclaim and reverence.

Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma on display.

A Dual Celebration

The year 2023 marks the 175th birth anniversary of Raja Ravi Varma, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the esteemed Jaipur Watch Company. To honour these monumental occasions, the company has curated a collection that captures the essence of Varma’s artistry and the brand’s commitment to excellence.

Telling more about this collection, Gaurav Mehta, Founder & CEO, Jaipur Watch Company, says: “While we have celebrated European artists, we have forgotten the legacy of India’s first modernist. That inspired me to create the Raja Ravi Varma watch collection. I reached out to Sachin Kaluskar, who owns the largest collection of Raja Ravi Varma’s oleographs and through him, to Rama Varma Thampuran of Kilimanoor Palace, the artist’s descendant who heads the Kilimanoor Palace Art Trust. Kilimanoor Palace is where Raja Ravi Varma was born and where, even today, his studio continues to be visited by travellers and art enthusiasts.”

A Limited-Edition Tribute

The Raja Ravi Varma collection comprises a rare assortment of limited-edition watches, with only 112 pieces available. Each watch is a testament to precision engineering and artistic prowess, paying homage to the timeless legacy of Raja Ravi Varma.

Telling more about the process of these watches being made, Mehta says: “To recreate the paintings on the watch dial to perfection, Jaipur Watch Company signed a MoU with Kilimanoor Palace Art Trust and accessed high resolution images of the paintings. A special machine imported from Japan offered us the capability to recreate his oleographs with colours and tones similar to the painting, on the watch face. Each watch carries a certificate of Authenticity signed by Rama Varma Thampuran.”

A Cultural Extravaganza

The launch event, spanning two captivating days, transported attendees into the world of Kerala and the Kilimanoor Palace – the very heart of Raja Ravi Varma’s inspiration. The festivities commenced with a vibrant welcome orchestrated by traditional drummers from the Dwarka Kala Samithi, setting the stage for an immersive cultural experience. The highlight of the event was a mesmerizing performance by Rama Varma Thampuram, a direct descendant of Raja Ravi Varma and a distinguished Carnatic musician and vocalist. Adding to the allure was an authentic Sadya, a sumptuous feast meticulously prepared by the culinary artisans of Kilimanoor Palace and Taj Jai Mahal Palace, invoking the rich flavors and traditions of Kerala. There was also a polo match, Rajasthani high tea and a tour of the city palace to give a feel of the Pink City to the guests who had come from Kerala.

Preserving Heritage

The Raja Ravi Varma collection by Jaipur Watch Company stands as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between art and luxury. By encapsulating the spirit of an artistic visionary within the confines of a watch, this collection not only honours the past but also paves the way for a timeless legacy that merges art, heritage, and horology.

As admirers and collectors eagerly admired these limited-edition timepieces, the Raja Ravi Varma collection emerged as an eloquent reminder that art and luxury are not just commodities, but conduits to the very essence of human creativity and expression.