Kerala: The Parsi Lady to finally see the light of day

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A century-old, unfinished painting of Raja Ravi Varma, which had remained folded and shelved in the studio of Kilimanoor palace, has been restored.
Kilimanoor palace trust will unveil the incomplete painting, 'The Parsi Lady', on Saturday, marking the 175th birth anniversary celebrations of the celebrated artist.
"It has the specialty of being the last unfinished painting of Ravi Varma. Before it could be completed, Ravi Varma, who had been ill, collapsed and died inside the Chithrasala in Kilimanoor palace," said Rama Varma Thampuran, general secretary, Kilimanoor palace trust.
Another rare painting of Ravi Varma, a portrait of Thriketta Thirunal Uma Amma Thampuratti, will also be unveiled on the occasion. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan will unveil these paintings at a function to be held at Kilimanoor palace.
In 1904, Ravi Varma had wound up his press in Mumbai and returned to Kilimanoor palace, shattered by the death of his brother Raja Raja Varma. He had brought home some of his unfinished works and had been working on his paintings in the Chithrasala of the palace. He had reserved 'The Parsi Lady' for later, but he died in 1906, leaving it incomplete.
The oil painting on canvas has since remained in the palace. Three conservators -- Selvarehai, A Moses and S Madhan -- began the restoration work eight years ago. The team initially focused on preliminary conservation.
"It had been kept folded for a long time. There were many fold marks on the painting. We began with protective measures and went on to consolidation of cracks and dealt with the flaking. The folds were straightened," Madhan said.
A new stretcher was given to keep the painting intact irrespective of climate change. They also gave a relining for it. Two days ago, they removed all the varnish layer and the filling work was completed to reconsolidate the work. A preservative coat was added and the framing was completed.
Madhan said the restoration of an incomplete painting is difficult.
"Unlike a finished painting, working on an incomplete work would require insight and we had to work accordingly," he said.