Raja Ravi Varma's Painting 'Yashoda and Krishna' Sells for ₹167.20

New Delhi, April 3 — The renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma's painting 'Yashoda and Krishna' was sold for a record ₹167.20 crore (approximately $17,978,495) at the Spring Live Auction by Saffronart in Mumbai. This sale marks the highest value ever for a piece of modern Indian art at auction, surpassing the previous record set by MF Husain's unnamed painting, which sold for over ₹118 crore last year.

The estimated value of Varma's artwork was between ₹80-120 crore, and it was purchased by Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Managing Director of the Serum Institute of India. Poonawalla expressed pride in acquiring, preserving, and caring for the iconic painting, stating that it is a national heritage that should periodically be made available for public viewing. Created during the peak of the artist's career in the 1890s, this piece presents a nuanced interpretation of Lord Krishna's childhood and the maternal love of his caretaker, Yashoda. It is considered one of Varma's most significant and emotive works.