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Galaxy of Musicians is a mesmerizing stage show inspired by the iconic painting of the same name by the legendary Indian artist, Raja Ravi Varma. This performance explores the captivating story behind the creation of his masterpiece, featuring 11 characters who represent different regions of India.
Set in 1889, before India's independence, the performance takes the audience on a dramatic journey, following Raja Ravi Varma as he discovers and paints 11 extraordinary women, each from a unique cultural background. Through his unparalleled oil painting technique, he immortalizes their beauty on canvas, showcasing the diversity of India.
A Journey of Creation and Loss The performance also touches on the deep emotional struggles Ravi Varma faced, including the tragic loss of his Mumbai based model, Sugandha Bai, a devadasi who took her own life. This traumatic event profoundly impacted the painter’s journey and added layers of depth to his work.
Cultural Diversity and Dance Fusion The show brings together an array of Indian classical and folk dance forms, including Kathakali, Kalari, Lavani, Garba, Ghoomer, Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Indo-Persian dance, with a touch of Flamenco. The colorful movements, combined with rich props, ornate costumes, and vibrant lighting, immerse the audience in a visual and musical celebration of India’s cultural heritage.
Instrumental Symphony & Classical Fusion An instrumental symphony underscores the performance, blending traditional classical music with contemporary sounds, emphasizing the connection between body and mind. This fusion of music and drama creates an experiential atmosphere for the audience, drawing them into the emotional journey of the artist.
A 60-Minute Artistic Experience Over the course of 60 minutes, the audience will witness the recreation of the real-life circumstances that influenced Raja Ravi Varma as he crafted his celebrated masterpiece, now housed at Jagmohan Palace.
Creative Direction & Vision Directed by Sumesh K.S., a visual artist with over 20 years of experience, the show reflects his deep-rooted connection to Indian art forms, including Kathakali. The choreography is crafted by renowned artists, including Kalamandalam Sujatha, Riti Sachdev (Flamenco choreography), and coordinated by Kalamandalam Gopalakrishnan. The music is composed by KJ Jomon with orchestration by Kalamandalam Arun Das, and lighting design by Murali.
Past Performances and Support This production has been supported by prestigious institutions like Bharath Bhavan, Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy, and the Kerala State Archaeology Department. Galaxy of Musicians has already captivated audiences across seven stages throughout India.
An Unforgettable Fusion of Art, Music, and Drama Experience the emotional and artistic odyssey of one of India's most celebrated painters, brought to life through music, dance, and visual splendour.
Art resists confinement. It breaks all shackles and transcends all barriers. It emancipates our imagination, liberates our soul and allows us to view the world anew. We present an attempt to give life to a great work of art by one of arguably the greatest painters of India - Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906). A painting, Galaxy of Musicians, by that great artist depicting female musicians is the theme of our operatic presentation. We intend to lend life to this painting, which by its very nature is still, but we believe it is not unmoving; it is something that evokes positive emotions. This presentation, Galaxy of Musicians Show, is meant to be a tribute to that great soul and his enduring artistic legacy presented in the form of music and dance that finally freezes into a tableau that replicates his painting.
This painting is significant in that it shows women from all the diverse parts of India. There is even an English lady. When we speak about 'Unity in Diversity, this painting will stand out as a prime example. All the different cultural milieu of India is represented on this canvas. It is also noteworthy that the father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke chose to use this painting as a backdrop, at the beginning of his first film 'Raja Harishchandra.
The initial scenes show the artist as both body and mind. His body is here depicted by the male dancer. His mind is represented by the Kathakali artiste. While the body prepares to paint, his mind travels in memory around the various states the artist has visited, once again seeing the women who will populate his picture.
The presentation will focus in turn upon each of the regionally diverse women presented in the painting. They will each execute a brief dance representing their provincial styles after which the painter will appear to express his intention. Then the figures will all come together to the positions they occupy in the canvas.
Raja Ravi Varma was a painter par excellence whose works not only put India on the map but also placed him on the pedestal with other great artists. Born 29 April, 1848 at Kilimanoor in the erstwhile State of Travancore,
Ravi Varma's paintings of the Royals, illustrious personalities and contemporary figures were widely sought-after and greatly admired.
An eye for detail, splendid use of colours and rich texture gave his paintings a classy, exquisite look. The reason why his works are priceless even to this day.
His realistic portrayals and interpretations of re- ligious and mythological figures that adorn the households today, captivated and fascinated the country as well as an international audience
