In India during the late nineteenth century it was a revolutionary change in a printing industry, when major printing presses dedicated their full concentration on the production of prints subjected on god-goddesses, mythological themes and historical icons. Later the medium, lithography was soon expanded to other subjects for advertisement of goods & services as well for Freedom Movement Propaganda. It was not so far that the Indian Film Industry had also taken the advantage of this medium.

This low cost medium of print production became very popular in the society soon for different reasons i.e. religious icons, advertisements, political mode of communication & of course for its very affordable cost. The most famous printing press at that time was established by the famous & legendary Indian Painter - Raja Ravi Varma. His press - Ravi Varma Press has published millions of copies of his paintings as well as of other religious & mythological icons through this medium. Later, many other presses i.e. Ravi Uday Press, Ravi Uday Vijaya Press, Modern Litho Works, Calendar Mfg. Co., Picture Publising Co., Bolton Offset Litho, Shivraj Offset Litho & many more adjoined their path to the same line of production and published such litho prints on many common as well as famous subjects in bulk.

It was noted that the lithography was much popular in India from Late 19th century to mid. 20th century (about beginning years after independence).

It was undefined term of production that they published these lithographs in particular sizes i.e. 5 x 7 inch, 7 x 10 inch, 10 x 14 inch, 14 x 20 inch, 20 x 28 inch etc. The quality of prints was varied from press to press & even for different sizes. One can note after looking to the subjects of lithographs by different press how they used to use with some minor changes same picture printed by other press. i.e. change in background, change in accessories or in colour from any part of picture etc. It was also noted that printing a same picture from large size to smaller size was really a tedious job, it may loose the quality & impression of the picture.

Possibly, no systematic & complete collection of this medium of art available as the form is really immense and even after these much years the medium is really difficult to be well maintained. However, here we tried to avail maximum variety under a roof. We mounted each lithograph with an acid free window mount paper and shrink-packed with high quality film, which may give it some extra life.

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