Kilimanoor (Kerala), Aug 23 - Reproduced works of four Raja Ravi Varma paintings are missing from the art gallery of the Kilimanoor Palace - the birth place of the noted 19th century Indian artist, police said Sunday.

'A trustee of the palace informed police that four duplicates of the Raja Ravi Varma paintings are missing. The canvass paintings have been removed after destroying their frames,' said police sub-inspector Anil Kumar, who visited the palace, 50 km away from Thiruvananthapuram.

Raja Ravi Varma, a noted Indian painter who achieved recognition for his depiction of scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana was born in this palace April 29, 1848. He passed away Oct 2, 1906.

A police officer said nobody stays in the art gallery of the 18th century palace.