Raja Ravi Varma is remembered in Indian cultural history for his outstanding contribution in which of the following fields?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests awareness of modern Indian cultural figures, specifically Raja Ravi Varma, one of the best-known painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recognising his field of achievement is important for questions related to Indian art, culture and national heritage.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The person mentioned is Ravi Varma, better known as Raja Ravi Varma.
• We are asked which field he is famous in.
• Options cover dancing, sculpture, painting and singing.
• We assume that candidates have seen or heard of his mythological paintings in textbooks or calendars.

Concept / Approach:
Raja Ravi Varma was a pioneering Indian painter from the princely state of Travancore. He is celebrated for combining European academic art techniques, such as realistic shading and perspective, with Indian mythological themes. His paintings of gods, goddesses and epic scenes became extremely popular and influenced the visual imagination of Indian households through oleographs and calendar art. He did not achieve fame as a dancer, sculptor or singer, but specifically as a painter and visual artist.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that Raja Ravi Varma is associated with visual representations of Indian mythological themes.Step 2: Recall commonly reproduced works such as his paintings of Lakshmi, Saraswati and scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.Step 3: Recognise that these are paintings, often seen in books, calendars and posters, not sculptures or dance performances.Step 4: Compare the options and select “Painting and visual art” as the only one that accurately matches his contribution.Step 5: Confirm that he is not listed in cultural history texts as a singer, dancer or sculptor.

Verification / Alternative check:
Art history sections in Indian culture books clearly describe Raja Ravi Varma as a painter credited with bringing a European style of realism into Indian art. Many exam manuals include a direct matching question: “Raja Ravi Varma – Painter”, which leaves little doubt. This consistent treatment across sources verifies “Painting and visual art” as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Classical dancing: There is no standard reference to Ravi Varma as a dancer; famous dancers belong to different lineages and time periods.Sculpture and stone carving: While India has many notable sculptors, Ravi Varma is not counted among them.Classical vocal singing: Again, he is not known in music history; his fame rests on his paintings.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many cultural personalities are studied together, students may occasionally mix names and fields, for example confusing a painter with a musician. To prevent such mistakes, it is helpful to create small mental pairs such as “Raja Ravi Varma – Painter”, “Tansen – Musician”, and “Rukmini Devi Arundale – Bharatanatyam”, reinforcing the correct associations for exams.

Final Answer:
Raja Ravi Varma is famous for his contribution to painting and visual art.