The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was a pioneering Indian artist known for fusing European academic realism with Indian sensibilities. A crucial aspect of his contribution to Indian art was the establishment of the Ravi Varma Press in 1894 to produce oleographs (chromolithographs) of his paintings.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The oleographs were not prohibitively expensive or restricted to royal courts. On the contrary, the specific purpose of the press was to mass-produce art to make it affordable and accessible to the common man. This democratized art ownership, which was previously the privilege of the elite.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The mass production of these images allowed them to permeate Indian society deeply. These prints found their way into the homes of the middle and lower classes, often serving as objects of worship or decoration. Over time, this style heavily influenced the development of "calendar art" in India.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Raja Ravi Varma's oleographs predominantly depicted scenes from Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as the Puranas. Famous examples include depictions of Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, and scenes like Nala-Damayanti and Shakuntala.
Key Takeaway: Raja Ravi Varma is credited with the democratization of Indian art through oleography, transforming high art into popular visual culture accessible to the masses.