AstaGuru will present its online auction Collectors’ Choice on 22–23 June 2026, bringing together a selection of paintings, sculptures and works on paper by major figures in Indian art. Leading the sale is Little Prince of Courage, a rare royal portrait by Raja Ravi Varma depicting Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman, the Prince of Pudukkottai. The work combines artistic significance with a compelling historical narrative linked to the prince’s decision to give up the throne for love.
A Royal Portrait with a Remarkable Story
Featured as Lot No. 51, Little Prince of Courage portrays the young prince in regal attire. According to the auction house, the painting gains additional historical significance from the life of Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman, who later relinquished his royal position to marry Australian woman Molly Fink, defying both royal convention and colonial expectations. The portrait is presented as a reflection on individuality, destiny and personal conviction.
Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) remains one of India’s most influential artists. Known for combining European academic realism with Indian themes and iconography, he played a significant role in shaping modern Indian visual culture through both his paintings and widely circulated lithographs.
A Sale of Modern Indian Masters
The auction catalogue includes works by several prominent artists from modern and contemporary Indian art, including M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, K.H. Ara, J. Swaminathan, Sakti Burman, Ram Kumar, Himmat Shah, Satish Gujral, Jogen Chowdhury, K.G. Subramanyan, Ganesh Pyne, Rameshwar Broota and Dhanraj Bhagat.
Highlights of the Auction
- Raja Ravi Varma – Little Prince of Courage (Lot 51)
- M.F. Husain – Savani | Des (Diptych) (Lot 33)
- Ganesh Pyne – The Conversation (Lot 9)
- Rameshwar Broota – Scripted in Time II (Lot 46)
- Dhanraj Bhagat – Standing Figure (Lot 16)
- K.G. Subramanyan – Figures With Mystical Birds (Diptych) (Lot 29)
Rare M.V. Dhurandhar Sketches Included
A notable section of the auction is a group of 22 sketches by M.V. Dhurandhar. The collection offers collectors access to works by one of the important figures of Indian academic art and provides insight into the development of artistic practice during the late colonial period.
Works Exploring Music, Memory and Human Experience
Among the featured lots is M.F. Husain’s Savani | Des (Diptych), a work inspired by Indian classical ragas and created during a significant phase in the artist’s career. Ganesh Pyne’s The Conversation explores themes of mortality and memory through a symbolic encounter between a skeletal figure and a bird. Rameshwar Broota’s Scripted in Time IIcontinues the artist’s long-standing exploration of human existence and time, while Dhanraj Bhagat’s Standing Figurereflects a move toward a more modern sculptural language.
Folk Traditions and Academic Realism
K.G. Subramanyan’s Figures With Mystical Birds (Diptych) draws on folk traditions, mythology and modernist experimentation, while Hemendranath Mazumdar’s Saaqi demonstrates the artist’s mastery of academic realism and nuanced treatment of the female figure. Both works highlight the diversity of artistic approaches represented in the auction.
About AstaGuru and Visitor Information
Founded in 2008, AstaGuru has established itself as a prominent online auction house specialising in art, antiques and collectibles. The company conducts digital auctions for collectors in India and internationally.
Auction Details
- Event: Collectors’ Choice
- Dates: 22–23 June 2026
- Format: Online Auction
- Organiser: AstaGuru
- Registration: Available through the official website
- Catalogue Access: Online viewing available before the auction
For more information, visitors can explore AstaGuru Auction House and register via the Collectors’ Choice auction page.
Takeaway
The Collectors’ Choice auction presents a broad survey of Indian art across different generations, styles and mediums. Led by Raja Ravi Varma’s historically significant royal portrait, the sale offers an opportunity to engage with works that reflect artistic innovation, cultural history and personal narratives. By bringing together established masters and rare works, the auction contributes to ongoing interest in India’s artistic heritage and its place within contemporary collecting culture.
