The correct option is Foreign and excessively Westernised.
Explanation
Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) is a pivotal figure in Indian art history, known for fusing Indian mythological themes with Western academic realism. He adopted European techniques such as oil painting, perspective, and chiaroscuro to depict Indian subjects.
Analysis:
- Nationalist Critique: Towards the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the rise of cultural nationalism and the Swadeshi movement prompted a search for a distinct Indian artistic identity. This movement was spearheaded by the Bengal School of Art, led by figures like Abanindranath Tagore and E.B. Havell.
- Rejection of Western Style: These nationalists criticised Raja Ravi Varma’s work for being foreign and excessively Westernised. They argued that applying Western realistic techniques to Indian deities stripped them of their spiritual and symbolic essence, reducing them to ordinary, material human figures.
- Search for Indigenous Roots: The critics believed that true Indian art should draw inspiration from traditional sources like the Ajanta murals and Mughal miniatures, rather than the "materialistic" style of European academic art. Consequently, they viewed Varma’s style as a symbol of colonial cultural influence.
Key Takeaway: The primary criticism against Raja Ravi Varma by Indian nationalists was his reliance on Western techniques (oil paints and realism) to depict Indian themes, which was perceived as a dilution of Indian aesthetic values.