When we moved to our own house, I dreamt of hanging an original Mysore painting in the lobby. Thus started my quest to find either the right painting or a painter. Fortunately, I came across a website describing Mysore paintings and introduced me to the Mysore palace artist Sri M.Ramanarasaiah. I tracked his house in Mysore with the help of my aunt who happened to study in the same school as that of Sri Ramanarasaiah’s children.
It was a delight and my luck to meet a person who has contributed so much to the culture of Mysore. Sri M.Ramanarasaiah aged 95 is one of the few continuing to paint in Mysore style.
He has studied and researched a great deal on how to paint gods and goddesses. The characters, jewelry, decor, expression, hair styles, weapons, and so on of the various gods and goddesses has been researched by him over the years. This reflects greatly in his work.
Sri M.Ramanarasaiah patiently heard my desire to get a painting painted by him and after asking questions about where I intended to place the painting, he explained the image that would be most appropriate. I was only too happy to place the order and he painted goddess Lakshmi’s picture to perfection in a month using gold flakes and paints. It is only after the painting entered our house, did I feel a sense of completeness.
Sri M. Ramanarasaiah is also an expert in traditional oil paintings. The largest painting of Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar`s durbar placed at Jaganmohan Palace has been painted by him. According to him, painting this was a big challenge and took him 5 years to complete the painting. Sri M.Ramanarasaiah was also the curator of Jagan Mohan Palace art museum from 1950 to 1974.
Other paintings of his comprises of portraits of the royal family and musicians. 28 of his paintings are displayed in Jaganmohan Palace.
He has recently been awarded the M.T.V. Acharya award, instituted by Acharya Chitrakala Bhavan. He has also been honored with Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy award.
I hope his brush strokes continue forever bringing delight to one and all.
Updated on 2nd May: Sri Ramanarasaiah passed away to paint the other world in December 2012
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HI Shantha Im a physician from Mysore settled in USA. I visit home every year. I always wanted Mysore painting to bring it with me o US also tried buying them in Bangalore last Year. But returned disappointed coz I could not find a painter who could do it for me. could please let me know where i can but an authentic painting or even someone who can do it for me.
I loved this blog and thanks for sharing this good piece of information.
Thanks a ton!! You just made my day..
I was visiting your blog to learn to make beetroot saaru and found your reply.
I have not received your email yet. Could you please send me the details to buy the painting.
Hello Ma’am
I am very keen on meeting the children of Late Mr. Ramanarasaiah and having a Mysore painting made by them for my mother. I failed to find any contact information on the net so far. It would be very kind of you if you could send me the details thank you.
Hi Sowmya,
Glad you are interested in Mysore paintings.
Son of Sri Ramanarasaiah and other children continue to paint. I will share the phone number by email.
Glad I could be of help.
Will send you the contact information soon.
I am so happy to have found this discussion, please could you provide the phone number or address for buying the paintings
Im blessed to be his relative and we were very closely connected.. used to visit his house often, his children are also very good artists carrying on their fathers traditional profession even today