Raja Ravi Varma, renowned for blending Indian themes with European academic painting techniques, was a great painter from which present day Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
Raja Ravi Varma is one of the most celebrated painters in the history of modern Indian art. He is known for combining Indian mythological and cultural themes with European realistic painting techniques, especially oil painting and perspective. His works made images of deities and epics accessible to a wide public. Many general knowledge questions ask about his regional background so that students can link famous personalities with their home states. This question asks from which state he came.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The personality in focus is Raja Ravi Varma, a famous Indian painter.
Options given are Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, and Kerala.
We must identify the state with which he is historically and culturally associated.
We assume present day state boundaries corresponding to his place of birth and work.

Concept / Approach:
Raja Ravi Varma was born in the princely state of Travancore at Kilimanoor, which lies in present day Kerala. His patrons belonged to Kerala's royal houses, and many of his works have strong links to Kerala and the broader south Indian region, even though his prints were popular throughout India. The options Bengal, Bihar, and Punjab refer to other regions that produced their own artists but are not associated with Raja Ravi Varma. Recognising Travancore as part of modern Kerala is the key step.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Raja Ravi Varma was born at Kilimanoor in the former princely state of Travancore. Step 2: Note that Travancore is located in what is now the state of Kerala in southern India. Step 3: Examine the options and see that Kerala is one of the choices. Step 4: Recognise that Bengal, Bihar, and Punjab are north and east Indian regions not linked to his birth or main activity. Step 5: Conclude that Raja Ravi Varma was a great painter from Kerala.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling references to the Kilimanoor Palace and the royal courts of Travancore, where Raja Ravi Varma received early patronage. Biographies and textbooks specifically mention Kerala as his home region. Furthermore, many cultural discussions in Kerala celebrate him as one of the most important painters associated with the state. No comparable regional connection exists with Bengal, Bihar, or Punjab in standard historical accounts of his life.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bengal is wrong because, while the Bengal School of Art produced many notable artists, Raja Ravi Varma is not counted among them. Bihar is wrong because it is not mentioned in accounts of his life, patrons, or major works. Punjab is wrong for similar reasons, as it is not the region of his birth or main artistic activity. Only Kerala, through the region of Travancore and the Kilimanoor Palace, is consistently associated with Raja Ravi Varma.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse different schools of Indian painting and associate Raja Ravi Varma with Bengal due to the prominence of the Bengal School in art history discussions. Another pitfall is to focus only on where his prints became popular rather than on his birthplace. To avoid this, it is helpful to remember that Raja Ravi Varma is linked with Kerala and Travancore, while the Bengal School is associated with artists such as Abanindranath Tagore.

Final Answer:
Raja Ravi Varma was a great painter from the state of Kerala.