Raja Ravi Varma - why we know him?

Ravi Varma was a phenomenon who turned into a runaway success during his lifetime. Among a lot of company artists educated in the art colleges established by the British, Ravi Varma stood out in the crowd with his distinctive creations. He is a household name even this day. But why? What did he do differently? Moreover, does it make sense doing it today? If an artist paints like he did, will she be as famous as Ravi Varma became?