
RAM GOPAL VIJAYVARGIYA
Born in Baler, Rajasthan, in 1905, Ramgopal Vijayvargiya’s artistic journey began at a young age, sparked by a chance encounter with a wandering ascetic who introduced him to the fundamentals of drawing. Recognizing his son’s passion, Vijayvargiya’s father encouraged him to refine his craft at the prestigious Maharaja School of Arts and Crafts, where he studied under the renowned Bengal revivalist Shailendranath De.
At just 17, Vijayvargiya made a remarkable debut with his first solo exhibition at the Fine Arts and Crafts Society in Kolkata. His exceptional talent earned him direct promotion to the final year of his five-year course, allowing him to graduate in an impressive eight months. After a brief stint as a drawing teacher, Vijayvargiya devoted himself entirely to his art, gaining widespread recognition by the age of 30.
Inspired by literary giants like Kalidas and Omar Khayyam, Vijayvargiya’s oeuvre spans several thousand works, with over 250 pieces held in collections worldwide. His iconic painting on the Geet Govind theme was acquired by Tsutomu Ueda’s gallery in Tokyo. A multifaceted creative, Vijayvargiya also published three poetry anthologies, a collection of short stories, and six books on art.