[MSN] India. Rare painting, claimed to be an original by Raja Ravi Varma by its owners, was stolen from a country house by a three-member gang which duped an aged couple by posing as policemen

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Rare painting robbed from aged couple

Palakkad (Ker), Sept 27: A rare painting, claimed to be an original by Raja Ravi Varma by its owners, was stolen from a country house by a three-member gang which duped an aged couple by posing as policemen in a village near here last night.

The thieves came in a car and told 65-year-old Balakrishnan Nair of Kulukkallur village that they were policemen and wanted to search the house as they had information that certain rare antiques were stored inside.

The intruders soon spotted the painting, inherited by Nair's wife from her uncle as a family treasure, and took it away telling Nair that they were carrying it to Enforcement Directorate officials with whom he could appeal to get it back by producing relevant papers.

They also threatened him with serious consequences if he came in their way.

When contacted, Nair's son Gopalakrishnan, who is in Mumbai, said it was an original oil painting by Ravi Varma depicting epic characters Viswamitra and Menaka. He said this was bought by his mother's uncle from Tamil Nadu and had been kept in the house as a priceless treasure.

“My parents are in shock. The emotional loss is greater than the material loss,” Gopalakrishnan told newspersons.

Until a few years ago, the 3.5 x 2.5 painting was used to be taken out for display on occasions like local school festivals. But of late, the painting had not been taken out fearing it would get damaged, he said.

Police have registered a case and further investigation is on.

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