The correct option is Travancore Court.
Explanation
Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was a pioneering Indian artist renowned for fusing European academic realism with Indian iconography. He belonged to the aristocratic family of Kilimanoor, which had close matrimonial ties with the royal family of Travancore.
His primary affiliation was with the Travancore Court in present-day Kerala. His talent was first recognized and nurtured by the ruler of Travancore, Ayilyam Thirunal, who provided him with patronage and exposure to western painting techniques. Although Varma later received extensive commissions from other princely states, such as the Gaekwads of Baroda and the Wodeyars of Mysore, his origins and initial artistic development are rooted in the Travancore court.
Key Takeaway: Raja Ravi Varma, the father of modern Indian art, was born in Kilimanoor and was primarily patronized by the Travancore Court before gaining pan-Indian recognition.