Sold For ₹167.2 Crore, Raja Ravi Varma’s ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ Painting Becomes India’s Costliest Artwork

In a landmark moment for Indian art, legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic work Yashoda and Krishna has set a new record, selling for a staggering ₹167.2 crore at a high-profile auction in Mumbai.

The painting was auctioned at Saffronart’s Spring Live Sale, where an intense bidding war drove the price to unprecedented heights. With this sale, the artwork has surpassed the previous record held by M. F. Husain, whose work had fetched ₹118 crore, making it the most expensive Indian painting ever sold.

The masterpiece was acquired by billionaire industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla, founder of the Serum Institute of India. Speaking about the purchase, Poonawalla described it as both a privilege and a responsibility, expressing his intent to make the artwork accessible to the public through periodic displays.

Created in the 1890s during the peak of Varma’s artistic career, Yashoda and Krishna is regarded as one of his finest works. The painting beautifully captures a tender, everyday moment, Yashoda milking a cow, while the young Krishna playfully reaches out for a goblet of milk, blending domestic life with divine storytelling.

Art experts have long admired the piece for its ability to draw viewers into the scene, elevating a simple moment into a larger spiritual narrative. With this record-breaking sale, the painting not only reinforces Varma’s enduring legacy but also marks a significant milestone for India’s presence in the global art market.

Want to take a break from the news? Play our games on game.freepressjournal.in