Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 24: Descent of Ganga

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, 'Descent of Ganga' shows the Ganges River personified as the Hindu river goddess Ganga descending from the heavens. Shiva stands directly beneath Ganga, with Parvati (the female mother goddess), Nandi (the bull ridden by Shiva), and Bhagiratha (the male king) watching from below. Bhagiratha was a king who brought Ganga down through prayer and self-discipline. The waters of the Ganges River are considered sacred by Hindus.

Vocabulary

Ganga: The Ganges River personified as a Hindu goddess.
Ganges River: A river that flows through the countries of India and Bangladesh.
Shiva: The Hindu god of creation, destruction, and regeneration. Part of the Hindu trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu.
Parvati: The mother goddess of Hinduism.
Nandi: The bull ridden by the Hindu god Shiva.
Bhagiratha: A Hindu king who brought Ganga down through prayer and self-discipline.

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:

• Ganga
• River Goddess
• Shiva
• Parvati
• Nandi
• Bhagiratha
• Bull
• Hump
• Horns
• King
• Trident
• Sari
• Snake

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: Map the Artwork

• Zoom in, and find India, Bangladesh (BANG.), and the Ganges River on the map below.

Activity 5: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 37 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 in a rocky area on and/or near mountains.

1 / 4

Question 2

Who are the characters in the artwork?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The characters are Ganga, the river goddess, Shiva, the god of destruction, Parvati, the mother goddess, Nandi, the bull, and Bhagiratha, the king.

2 / 4

Question 3

Why do some Hindus believe the Ganges River is sacred?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Some Hindus believe the river is the goddess Ganga.

3 / 4

Question 4

Why is Ganga descending from the heavens?

4 / 4

Answer 4

The king, Bhagiratha, brought Ganga down through prayer and self-discipline.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is in a rocky area on and/or near mountains.
2. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Ganga, the river goddess, Shiva, the god of destruction, Parvati, the mother goddess, Nandi, the bull, and Bhagiratha, the king.
3. Why do some Hindus believe the Ganges River is sacred? Some Hindus believe the river is the goddess Ganga.
4. Why is Ganga descending from the heavens? The king, Bhagiratha, brought Ganga down through prayer and self-discipline.

References

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

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

'Ganga.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Ganges River.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Bhagiratha.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Nandi.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.