Zaheer Darbar – Entertainment Editor
Muscat Set to Stage Grand Theatrical Tribute to Art Icon Raja Ravi Varma: Muscat is preparing to witness a grand cultural spectacle this August as a unique theatrical tribute to Indian art legend Raja Ravi Varma comes to life at the Al Falaj Hotel Grand Hall. Titled Katha Parayum Chithrangal (A Unique Story of Colours and Canvases), this groundbreaking production is the first of its kind in Oman, blending drama, music, and visual storytelling to honour one of India’s greatest painters.
Directed by acclaimed Indian stage director Sunil Kumar Krishnan Nair, the 165-minute production features an impressive cast of over 120 actors and 100 backstage crew from Muscat. The Malayalam version of the show will be performed on August 22, followed by the Hindi adaptation, Bolti Tasveerein – Rangon aur Canvas ke Zariye Khulti Kahani, on August 23.
The performance traces the life, works, and emotional journey of Raja Ravi Varma, the visionary who brought Indian mythology and royalty to life through a fusion of Western painting techniques and traditional Indian themes. The show unfolds across 71 dramatic scenes inspired by iconic masterpieces like Shakuntala, Hamsa Damayanti, and Galaxy of Musicians.
Set against a rich musical backdrop composed by Rony Raphael and Rama Varma Thampuran—a direct descendant of the Kilimanoor royal family—the production features multimedia projections, atmospheric lighting, and live dramatizations that create a stunning immersive experience.
“This is more than a play,” said Director Sunil Kumar Krishnan Nair. “We are reviving the spirit of Raja Ravi Varma for the next generation. Oman has never experienced a live drama show of this magnitude—we’re telling stories through colour, canvas, and soul, just like Varma did.”
It is Organised by Bhavalaya Art & Culture Foundation, a global platform dedicated to the promotion of art and culture and managed by Global Events, Muscat, Oman, with contributions from Indian film star Moksha and a team of international artists managing set design, costume, choreography, and makeup.
To further engage the community, a painting competition inspired by Ravi Varma’s legacy will take place in early August, inviting young and aspiring artists to express their own interpretations of classical Indian art.
This theatrical celebration aims to deepen cultural understanding, ignite artistic passion, and showcase the timeless relevance of Raja Ravi Varma’s work among Oman’s multicultural audiences.
