Raja Ravi Varma's 'Yashoda and Krishna' Becomes Most Expensive Indian Painting Sold at ₹167.20 Crore
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Raja Ravi Varma's painting 'Yashoda and Krishna' sold for ₹167.20 crore (USD 17.98 million), becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever auctioned. |
| Buyer | Cyrus S. Poonawalla (Chairman, Serum Institute of India), who termed it a "national treasure" and plans periodic public displays. |
| Painting Significance | Depicts Yashoda milking a cow while young Krishna playfully reaches for milk. Blends European realism with Indian mythology, showcasing Varma's mastery of oil paintings and lifelike art. |
| Artist's Legacy | Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) revolutionized Indian art by: - Introducing European oil techniques. - Making art accessible via lithographic prints (1894). - Humanizing mythological figures like Krishna. |

