Kerala Museum

On a tour to Kerala one must visit the museums of Kerala to have a clear view of the rich cultural heritage and traditional Kerala architecture. These museums come under the Archeological Department of the state.

Thiruvananthapuram

Museum Complex
Set amidst beautiful botanical gardens and parks and situated in the heart of the city, the museum complex is extensive. It houses the Sree Chithra Art Gallery, Sree Chithra Gallery Enclave, the KCS Panickar Gallery, Napier Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Sree Chithra Art Gallery
Opened in 1935 by the then Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithra Thirunal gallery was constructed in the museum gardens out of two typical Kerala style bungalows with tiled roofs and cool verandas. The first exhibits were the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, borrowed for display from the Kilimanoor Palace, the ancestral home of the artist. Over the years the rajas of Travancore added their own collections, many acquired during their travels abroad.

There is also an interesting collections of Tibetian thankas, Chinese and Japanese paintings from the 17th century, and paintings of Russian artists Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerich, depicting Himalayan landscapes. Indian revivalist paintings, referred to as the Bengal school, also gets a good representation and there is a unique collection of copies of Indian mural paintings from the pre-historic times down through the eras of Ajanta to those in Cochin and Travancore of the 18th century. There is also some works of contemporary Indian artists like Yusuf Arakkal.

Sree Chithra Enclave
The Sree Chithra Enclave, opened in 1993, is dedicated to the memory of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma (1912-1991), the last Mahraja of the Travancore royal family and recounts their enriching contributions to the land. There are displays throwing light on the evolution of Travancore state and its geographical and socio-cultural history. This is achieved by a series of audio-visual presentations. Personal belongings and artifacts used by the royalty are also on display.

KCS Panicker Gallery
Born in 1911 in Coimbatore, Panicker was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the Progressive Painters Associations in Madras from 1944 in 1953. In 1954, he was nominated as one of the nine eminent artists of India and made a member of the Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi. In 1966, Panicker established the now famous Cholamandalam artists village in Madras. Panicker was an artist who set up a new trend. The gallery traces his works over a period, giving a clear insight to the evolution of his style and range. The works showcases the versatility of this artist who passed away in 1977.

Napier Museum
Better known as the Trivandrum Museum or Art Museum, this museum in Kerala was set up in 1855, making it the oldest in India. But, it was only in 1857, the decision to build a large complex, in order to house the growing collections, was taken. Designed by the British architect and painter Robert Fellows Chisholm, who was the principal of the Madras Schools of Arts, the building was completed in 1880, and christened the Napier Museum. Lord Charles Napier, the then Governor of Madras, laid the foundation stone.

This museum of Kerala houses an extensive collection of bronze and stone sculptures and wooden carvings dating from 11th to the 18th centuries. The wooden chariot, the Pushpaka Vimanam built in 1847 for the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, with its intricate carvings depicting mythological figures are not to be missed. The artifacts collected from Indonesia, China, Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sri Lanka are very interesting and the Javanese shadow play leather figures, used to depict the Mahabharata and the Ramayana will make you linger. The old ornaments used by the women in Kerala, interesting lamps, life sized Kathkali figures complete with resplendent costumes, a model of the Guruvayur temple complex are some of the other interesting things here to look out for.

Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum of Kerala is housed in a modern building and is separated into sections like the skeletal gallery, bid gallery, animal gallery and a museum. For students there is a section called index gallery, where specimens for comparative study of limbs and organs of different animals and their suitability for specific purposes can be discerned easily.

The gallery has stuffed versions of many large animals. Not only is the taxidermy excellent, care has also been taken to present them in simulated natural backgrounds. An interesting display is a human skeleton made of ivory, created in 1853 for Maharaja Marthanda Varma to study physiology because, in those days actual human skeleton were not handled.

Ponmudi

Koyikkal Palace/ Numismatics Museum
Located at Nedumangadu, the Valiakoyikkal Palace was the royal headquarters of the Perakam dynasty, which ruled over Ilavallor Naadu, a little known province of Travancore. Today, the palace houses a Numismatics and Folklore Museum. The coins here belong to different parts of the world as well as to different eras, the rare and historically valuable collections of coins giving an insight into the trade relations of the state in bygone era.

This museum in Kerala also has coins used by various Indian dynasties. Rasi, the world smallest coins can be seen here as also a Venetian coin, named Amanda, believed to have been presented to Jesus Christ. Then there are nearly 374 Roman gold coins-each worth up to Rs 5, 00,000 today.

The folklore Museum of Kerala gives you a fine display of objects and instruments of folk art. There are household utensils and tools used by ancient man for hunting, harvesting, as also the tools used by different trades.

The kettuvilakku, a ceremonial lamp made of colored paper and light wood splits, which is lit during festivals at Bhagavathi temples, is exhibited. Ancient musical instruments have been beautifully preserved, as also the dolls used for Tholpavakoothu (leather property).

Kochi

Maritime Museum
Established in 2001 to create awareness of India’s maritime history, this museum in Kerala is set in two bunkers that have been converted into museum galleries, which are as carefully preserved as the exhibits. One bunker is devoted to the maritime heritage of India through the ages while the other bunker showcases shipbuilding activities in India, beginning from the Indus Valley civilization up to modern times and is a must see place when out on a tour to Kerala.

Ship models of INS Delhi and INS Godavari adorn the collection as also the Sea King Helicopter.

SNC Maritime Museum
Set up in 1989, this Kerala museum was established to display the various maritime activities of the Indian naval forces.

The lighting system enhances the worth of the exhibits and is accompanied by a descriptive oration of details of various types of naval activities starting from the Indus Valley civilization to the achievements of the naval force in independent India’s wars. There is also an audio-visual show on the navy’s participation in various wars.

The star attractions though is the vallom (boat) made of a single wood, thampakam. Belonging to the Raja of Ambalappuzha, it is said to be over 300 years old.

Bishop’s House/ Indo- Portuguese Museum
Resting atop a small mount close to the Parade Ground, this quaint structure with a grand driveway belongs to the Kochi diocese. Built by the Portuguese in 1506 as a residence for their governor, it was acquired by the Dutch in 1663 and after the British conquest of Kochi, came into possession of the Vernedes family. Thereafter, Dome Jos Gomes Ferreria, the then Bishop of Kochi, acquired it. It remains the residence of the Bishop’s of Kochi.

Adjacent to the Bishop’s House, you find the Indo-Portuguese Museum, which is housed in a modern structure. This Museum of Kerala is a home to precious artifacts collected from the various far-flung churches under the Cochin diocese, some dating back to the 16th century, including the wooden altar from the original St Anthony’s Church (present day St Francis Church). The basement of the museum also contains remnants of the original Fort Immanuel that was built by the Portuguese.

Other attractions on a tour to Kerala include the dancing balls of yore, a beautiful teak staircase that leads to the senate hall and a secret tunnel that is known to have once existed but till today remains evasive.

Although small and limited in its contents, this has got to be of the best laid-out and maintained museum in India. There is good lighting and every item is labeled clearly.

Thrissur

Saktan Thampuran Palace
Of historic, architecture and cultural importance, this palace of the erstwhile Maharaja of Cochin has been converted into a heritage museum. Sprawled over six acres, there are three tombs or shavakudeerams here, one of which is that of the ruler Sakthan Thampuran himself. A flagpole dating to 1827 and the royal insignia (two elephants, a conch and a lamp) in the porch herald a welcome.

Named after King Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the palace has several well- preserved materials and galleries relating to the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. The sprawling garden, has besides, the tombs of Sakthan Thampuran and other noblemen, a snake shrine, a tank, a temple, and other heritage garden with an indigenous collections of plants and trees.

On a Kerala tour you will also find a very good collection of ancient coins. In addition, the gardens depict the treasury, royal bedrooms and the royal kitchen utensils, besides displays of bronzes, weapons and stamps.

Kozhikode

Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery
Situated eight kilometres from the city centre, and built in 1812, it was then known as the East Hill Bungalow, and renamed in 1980 after Pazhassiraja Raja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilaaakom of the Kottayam royal family. In 1976 the building was converted into an archeological museum with many artifacts brought over from the Thrissur archaeological museum.

Ancient murals, antique bronzes, coins belonging to Caesar’s period, megalithic relics such as the dolmens, cysts, umbrella stones, temple miniature adorn the walls and floors of this Kerala museum. The umbrellas stones were found at a place called Kodakkal, about 20 kms from Kozhikode. Next door is the art gallery which exhibits an excellent collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and his uncle Raja Rama Varma.

Krishna Menon Museum
This museum of Kerala adjoining the art gallery has an exclusive wing dedicated to the late diplomat, VK Krishna Menon, who was a leading light in the Indian nationalist movement. He went on to represent India at the United Nations from 1952 to 1962 and was India’s Defence Minister from 1957 till 1962. His personal belongings, memorabilia and souvenirs gifted by world leaders are on display here.

Kollam

Police Museum
B Sandhya, an IPS officer, is the driving force behind the construction of this unique museum in Kerala On display are human bones, guns and light weapons, charts and diagrams detailing DNA fingerprints, photo of individual police dogs and dog squad, medals and police arms of the 18th and 19th centuries. The star attraction of the museum is the martyr’s gallery. There is also meditation hall and traffic guidance, if you need it.

Alappuzha

Krishnapuram Palace Museum
This palace was built during the reign of Maharaja Marthanda Varma and is a miniature model of the Padmanabhapuram Palac, near Thriuvananthapuram. Built in traditional style, this spectacular 16 block building covers an area of 1.87 acres. Now an archeological museum, the resorted two-storied palace houses paintings, antique furniture and sculptures and a must visit when out on a Kerala tour. This Kerala museum showcases the Megalithic period with burial urns, stone sculptures (including a seated Buddha), bronze antiquities, swords, ancient vessels used for measuring grains, weights, cannon balls and models of umbrellas from the late medieval period. Attractions include a Sanskrit Bible, pooja ceremony utensils and oil lamps and a Buddha mandapam in the garden.

Thakazhi Museum and Smritimandapam
This Museum cum memorial hall is dedicated to the memory of the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, the famous writer who won the Jnanpeeth award in 1984, and whose writings include 35 novels and 600 short stories.

After one of his books, chemmeen, was made into a national award winning movie and captured the people’s imagination, he became a household name. Thakazhi’s ancestral home, where the writer spent hours conjuring up stories, was turned into a museum in 2001. Four rooms houses his personal belongings that include awards, gifts, certificates, books, chairs, walking sticks, pens, spectacles, typewriter and clothes used by the man.

Kumarakom

Driftwood Museum
This is a unique museum of Kerala that has on display a large collection of elegant driftwood sculptures, collected from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Apart from the Jawara woman, Handicapped family, Monkey, Lion and Elephant, there are also pieces focusing on the Kargil war and Subash Chandra Bose’s ‘Chalo Dilli campaign’. However, the masterpiece is the crocodile that, in its ‘ferocity’ sports almost a real look. This Kerala museum also showcases an amazing collection of flowers and buds.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Tribal Heritage Museum
Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Till the 1940s they used to live in the remotest areas of the reserve, eking out a living by fishing in the lake and cultivating a few basic crops.

As part of the eco tourism programme set up by the authorities, a heritage museum has been built inside the Mannan settlement. This museum of Kerala features various types of artifacts related to their ancient agricultural practices, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, dress, rituals and death ceremonies. Display of fishing gear, hunting weaponry, indigenous medicine and vessels, cereals, medicinal herbs, bamboo furniture, etc, are other attractions.

Munnar

Tea Museum
A sundial, made in 1913, greets you. Memorabilia preserved inside include a burial urn, (from the second century BC), the original 1905 tea roller, a rotor vane (the old CTC type tea processing machine), the Pelton wheel used in the power generator plant of the 1920s and a rail engine wheel of the Kundala Valley Railway that shuttle men and material between Munnar and top station during the first half of the last century.

If you want to delve into the history of tea in the High Ranges, visit India’s only tea museum in Kerala set in a century old tea estate of the Kannan Devan Hills produce company and is a must visit destination when out on a tour to Kerala.

Wayanad

Wayanad Heritage Museum
During the late 1980s, anthropologists engaged in research and preservation of the Edakkal caves came upon innumerable artifacts and stone relics during their travels in the region, especially around Bathery, Ambalavayal and the forests of Wayanad. With the help of the state archaeology department, a museum was established.

Today the museum, considered one of the best heritage museums in Kerala that houses a rich collection of stone carvings, idols made of hard and soft rocks, figurines from possible crypts and terracotta relics, many of them belonging to the 13th and 14th centuries. Engravings on stone slabs in a script known as Vattezhuthu and soft stone idols of tribal gods, called Herostones, are some of the unique exhibits here. Short films and clips on the subject are screened in an attached mini auditorium.

Pazhassi Museum
Under the treaty of Srirangapattanam, when Tipu Sultan ceded Malabar to the British, Pazhassi Raja, scion of the Kottayam royal family, was the first to revolt against the British. Faced with stiff colonial opposition, he was forced to take refuge in the dense jungle of Wayanad. Though he kept up the fight for a long remarkably long time, he was finally defeated in 1805 and thus ended the last rebellion against the British in this region. Though he was felled in the jungles of Mavilamthode near Pulpally, a tomb marks the place where he was cremated. Slightly away, a small structure houses a collection of memorabilia.