Though a qualified doctor, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas carried forward the legacy of Saurashtra’s rich historical and cultural heritage and furthered them to an unprecedented height through his paintings
By PI Bureau
Saurashtra in Gujarat holds a captivating history and boasts numerous attractions that draw hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and has glorious stories to catch the imagination of visitors. Gondal in Rajkot district of Gujarat is a place known for architectural grandeur.
Today, we delve into the extraordinary life of an artist born into a family with deep ties to royal families since the eighteenth century. Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas, who is Director of Shri Bhuvaneshwari Aushadhashram as well as chairman of Shri Bhuvaneshwari temple, is a testimony to its rich heritage.
The Bhuvaneshwari Ayurvedic Pharmacy and Institute, founded by his grandfather Acharya Shri Charantirthji Maharaj, the royal family’s physician (Rajvaidya), pioneered Ayurveda in the Gondal region in 1904. It was his grandfather who bestowed the title of ‘Mahatma’ upon Gandhiji in 1915. The Bhuvaneshwari premises still house Gandhi Smriti, which continues to serve religious and charitable endeavors.
Continuing the legacy, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas’s father, Acharya Shri Ghanshyamji, who was conferred Gopal Ratna by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. Government of India for his contributions in cattle breeding, played a pivotal role in promoting scientific Gir Cattle and Kathiyawadi horse breeding, keeping Gondal on the international map.
A true gem of the Vyas family, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas carries forward the legacy in his unique artistic style. Though a qualified doctor after obtaining degree in Homeopathic medicine in 1997, he did not confine himself to the medical field alone. While diligently managing the family’s business and serving as the temple chief, Dr. Vyas carried forward the rich historical art and cultural heritage of the Gondal to an unprecedented height through his paintings.
Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas believes that painting is the most profound way to express the richness of his experiences. His passion for the arts blossomed in his childhood, leading him to explore museums, artistic places, and historic palatial monuments worldwide. He studied cultural heritages and art of various eras across continents; and embraced every art form, from folk and classical dance & music to architecture and interiors, ranging from the cozy streets of colonial and native India to the grand royal palaces of the Indian Raj.
A self-made artist, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas drew inspiration from the works of renowned artists, especially Raja Ravi Varma. His close ties with the royal family enabled him to visit the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, where he developed a deep admiration for Raja Ravi Varma’s creative style from a young age.
Impressed him in Raja Ravi Varma’s works, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas evolved an Indo-western style into his compositions, dramatizing and presenting mythological themes of Raja Ravi Varma. He meticulously worked and lent his unique touch to the intricate brushwork, capturing in his paintings the reflections of India’s golden era and historical uniqueness.
His journey of creating portrait with oils began in 2003. After 12 years of unwavering dedication and sincerity, a new series of paintings titled “Hrim Creation” came into being in 2015. In October 2018, these paintings attained sacredness when they were offered on Goddess Bhuvaneshwari’s lotus feet by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankrji during his darshan and Kuldevi Yajna in Gondal. Thereafter in mid-December 2019, a public display of these paintings was organised in the Kirti Mandir Palace premises, Vadodara, where H.H. Rajmata Subhangini Raje Gaekwad and the royal family graced the occasion.
The journey continues. The entire collection of these paintings is displayed in Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas’s art gallery in Gondal, aptly named “Journey of Life on Canvas.” Let us e a spotlight on this remarkable endeavor.
Celebrating Colors on Canvas
Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas believes that life is a journey, not a destination. He applied the same principle to his ‘Celebration of Colors on Canvas’. What began as occasional brush strokes on the walls of his home and the pages of his school books soon transformed into a profound hobby. With time, Dr. Ravidarshan’s love for art & creativity deepened, with travel experiences further sharpening his sense of observation and understanding of the intricacies of arts and crafts and skills.
These experiences greatly enhanced his artistic skills and gave birth to celebrated masterpieces such as ‘Manidwipa’, ‘Geetgovindam’, ‘Urmila’ and ‘Krishna-Subhadra’. Dr. Ravidarshan infuses a unique style of composition into his creations, offering glimpses of his dreams, thoughts, intuitions, experiences, and emotions.
A closer look at his masterpieces reveals the depiction of charming locations that inspired Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas during his countless travel escapades. In order to invite viewers to catch a glimpse of his life, he floated his ‘Painted Biography’, which speaks volumes about his vibrant experiences.
Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas understands that exploring the emotional aspects of life can be achieved through various avenues, with Indian mythology serving as a guiding spirit. He captures moments from mythology and juxtaposes them with his own inner feelings to create personalised portrayals and paintings. Each painting possesses a distinctive mood and theme, and every frame is crafted with meticulous care.
What’s more, Dr. Ravidarshan Vyas acknowledges that it was Goddess Shri Bhuvaneshwari Ma’s blessings which enabled him to accomplish creative endeavors and create masterpiece paintings.
