Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 23: Dattatreya

by Raja Ravi Varma

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Raja Ravi Varma's 'Dattatreya' shows the Hindu monk and deity, Dattatreya, standing on a peaceful riverbank. He is surrounded by a cow and four dogs. The cow symbolizes mother earth, and the four dogs symbolize the four Vedas (Hindu scriptures). As an avatar of three Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, Dattatreya is shown with three heads and six arms. Dattatreya has a rosary and water pot for Brahma, a conch and wheel for Visnu, a trident and drum for Shiva, and a lotus for both Vishnu and Brahma.

Vocabulary

Dattatreya: A monk, lord of Yoga, and deity of Hinduism.
Monk: A member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Deity: A supreme being, god, or goddess.
Vedas: Hindu scriptures.
Avatar: A manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher.
Hindu: A follower of Hinduism.
Hinduism: A major religious and cultural tradition of South Asia.
Brahma: The Hindu god of knowledge and the creation of the universe. Part of the Hindu trinity along with Vishnu and Shiva.
Vishnu: The Hindu god of protection and preservation of the good. Part of the Hindu trinity along with Brahma and Shiva.
Shiva: The Hindu god of creation, destruction, and regeneration. Part of the Hindu trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu.
Rosary: A string of prayer beads used for keeping count, typically 108 beads long.
Conch: A tropical marine mollusk with a spiral shell that may bear long projections and have a flared lip.
Trident: A three-pronged spear.

Concepts

1. Raja Ravi Varma was born in 1848 in Kilimanoor Palace, located in the Kingdom of Travancore in present-day India. Varma was born into the aristocracy and was given the title of 'Raja' by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India. See his picture below.

2. See the ancient entrance to Kilimanoor Palace below.

3. Find India, Varma's country of birth, on the map of South Central Asia below.

4. At age seven, Varma drew on the palace walls with charcoal. His uncle saw his potential and gave him painting lessons.
5. Varma studied art at the JJ School of Arts, Mumbai. He learned oil painting techniques from a Dutch artist.
6. Varma is known as the 'Father of Modern Indian Art.' He is considered one of the greatest painters in Indian history, painting Indian deities and mythologies using European techniques.
7. Varma died in 1906 at the age of 56.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Three Heads
• Six Arms
• Trident
• Conch Shell
• Water Pot
• Bead Necklace
• Wheel
• Stream
• Mountains
• Sandals
• Lotus Flowers
• Water Buffalo
• Four Dogs

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point them out in the painting or the title of the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 36 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the setting of the artwork?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The setting is outdoors on green grass in front of a river.

1 / 4

Question 2

Who are the human and animal characters in the painting?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The human and animal characters are Dattatreya, a cow, and four dogs.

2 / 4

Question 3

What does Dattatreya hold in his hands?

3 / 4

Answer 3

He has a water pot, conch, wheel, a trident, drum, and a lotus

3 / 4

Question 4

Why does Dattatreya have three heads and six arms?

4 / 4

Answer 4

He represents three Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors on green grass in front of a river.
2. Who are the human and animal characters in the painting? The human and animal characters are Dattatreya, a cow, and four dogs.
3. What does Dattatreya hold in his hands? He has a water pot, conch, wheel, a trident, drum, and a lotus
4. Why does Dattatreya have three heads and six arms? He represents three Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

References

'Raja Ravi Varma.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Kilimanoor Palace Image (CC BY-SA 3.0).' Magnus Manske. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Dattatreya.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Brahma.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Vishnu.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Shiva.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.