The Napier Museum is one of the oldest museums of India. A contemporary of the Indian Museum Calcutta and Madras Government Museum, this beautiful and historic repository of the relics and treasured possessions of Kerala was built in 1857 at the bidding of Maha Raja Uthram Thirunal, His Highness Maharaja Raja Ramaraja Sri Padmanabha Dasa Vanchi Pala Marthanda Varma II, Kulashekara Kiritapati Mannaneya Sultan Bahadur Shamsher Jung, Raja of Travancore. The old building that housed the museum was demolished and the foundation for the new building named after Lord John Napier, the Governor General of Madras presidency was laid in 1874. The famous architect Robert Chisholm of Madras University Senate and Victoria Memorial fame was commissioned the project the construction was complete by 1880. The most intriguing feature of the museum is its architecture. The magnificent edifice stands in the lush observatory gardens, a symbol of the architectural ebullience achieved by combining Chinese and Mughal styles with Kerala's traditional forms of construction. The celestial beauty of the construction was imparted by bewitching brush of Chisholm. The tall minarets, gothic roofs and stained glass windows and the vivid use of colors such as blue, pink, yellow, red and white make it a dreamy sight. High arches, intricately carved balconies, red and white grilles and stone ornamentations give the museum its enamoring charms. The building sports a natural air conditioning system.
The Napier Museum has an astounding display of traditional Kerala chariots and ivory carvings. It is furnished with an array of priceless aesthetic and ethnic antiques such as stone sculptures, wood and ivory carvings, lamps, fabrics, Kathakali miniatures, handicrafts, Kuftgiri items, musical instruments and a collection of the Chera, Chola, Pandya coins. The bronze idols on display include figurines of Hindu Gods such as Siva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi of the 8th to 18th century. The museum displays an idol of Vishnu from the 8th century which has been garnered from the Ambalapuzha temple and is the oldest known metal image of Kerala. The stone sculptures too are of the same time period. The sculpture called Shiva with Sati is a major attraction. A four hundred year old clock and a herbal coat used by the Maharajas of Travancore are among the crowd pullers.
This museum located beside the Mascot Hotel of Thiruvananthapuram City, the capital of Kerala. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Railway Junction provide access to this lovely city.
Sree Chitra Arts Gallery
The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a hub of all the social and economic activities of the state. It is home to a number of monuments and important museums of the state. Sree Chitra Arts Gallery is one such prominent museum of Kerala. Situated in Trivandrum, the gallery is a magnificent piece of architecture and a hub for artists and art critics. The museum is strategically located near the Napier Museum, which is a hub for both national and foreign tourists. The gallery is situated to the north of Napier Museum. The paintings of a number of renowned artists are displayed in the art gallery.
Sree Chitra Arts Gallery was set up during 1935. The paintings from the art gallery draw numerous connoisseurs from India as well as abroad, who come all the way to this small and unique art gallery to appreciate the creative abilities of Indian artists. This is one of the very few art galleries in India which boasts of having a collection of the creative works of ancient as well as modern Indian artists. Here, you will come across the works of some of the major Indian artists, who have gained international accolade. Some of the paintings which are found inside the gallery are masterpieces from established names like Jamini Roy, Raja Ravi Verma, the Russian painter-cum-philosopher Nicholas Roerich, Svetlova and KCS Panicker.
The paintings of renowned art connoisseur Raja Ravi Varma remain the highlight of Sree Chitra Arts Gallery. His paintings are considered the magnum opus of creativity. Ravi Varma used to paint in details. He especially used to highlight the attires of the subject so wonderfully that it appeared to be three dimensional. He painted his subject with such details that he even succeeded in capturing the emotions of his subject, along with the texture and fabric of his attire.
Stored among the other artworks preserved at Sree Chitra Arts Gallery are the Mughal, the Rajasthani and the Rajput paintings, which are especially worth mentioning. The rich colours used in these paintings reflect the riches of Indian art. Apart from these, Tanjore and Balinese paintings are also exhibited here, which are especially popular for their intricate carvings and the elegant stone work. The gallery is also home to intricate paintings from China, Japan and Tibet.
Science and Technology Museum
Kerala Science and Technology Museum was established in the year 1984. Located in Thiruvananthapuram/Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, the museum is run by an autonomous body, which was setup by the Government of Kerala. The museum remains a dynamic medium for the spread of science and technology in Kerala. Kerala Science and Technology Museum also remains a pioneer in inculcating the sense of curiosity and scientific disposition among the young generation in the state.
The Government of Kerala always wanted a body which could organize fairs and scientific exhibitions. They got the answers to their questions in the form of Kerala Science and Technology Museum. The museum also undertakes the responsibility of managing science educational programmes through TV, Radio and other media of communication. The museum is also responsible for organizing demonstrations and lectures, which includes the interactions with media and public too.
Kerala Science and Technology Museum is visited by people of all ages and interest, as this is a place of study as well as a recreational center. Here, children can have some creative fun, while the adults interested in science and technology can also enjoy their time here by learning new things. When the project was started, the measurements of the place came down to 5 acres of land at the mid of the capital city of the state of Kerala. The museum compound was set up in 1984 with just a few sections, namely Electricity, Electronics, Power & Motion and Mechanics, with approximately 300 exhibits. A number of galleries like Popular Science, Mathematics, Automobile and Biomedical Engineering were added to the museum with time.
Kerala Science and Technology Museum also holds a planetarium called the ‘Priyadarshini Planetarium’. The planetarium was made functional in the year 1994. Further developments took place, which gave rise to a Children's Science Park and Mobile Science Exhibition unit. Later, other galleries were added too to this place, including Computer Gallery and Solar Energy Gallery. Kerala Science and Technology Museum premise also contains a Play Park with thirteen playing devices which aid learning while playing. This park was opened in the year 2005. Energy Park, 3D Theatre, Digital Weighing Machine, Edusat Talk Back Terminal, and Energy Ball etc are hot favorites of the crowd visiting Kerala Science and Technology Museum.
Priyadarshini Museum
Priyadarshini Museum is situated in the scenic city of Trivandrum/Thiruvananthapuram, which is the capital of the state of Kerala. The museum is located inside the compounds of the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum. Priyadarshini Museum is a planetarium fitted with a number of advanced equipments, which are far beyond any of the equipments found at any other planetarium. The planetarium is sophistically furnished with state-of-the-art projectors and other equipments. This is one of best planetariums in India.
Priyadarshini Museum stores small models of a number of Indian as well as foreign space shuttles. The walls of the planetarium are adorned with photographs from the lunar missions, missions to mars and a number of other such missions. The planetarium was set up as a tribute to scientific and technological advancements which are achieved by the Indian space agency in decades. The planetarium is a heaven for the science scholars who come to this place for observing a number of celestial events.
The construction of Priyadarshini Museum is oriented horizontally. It has a domed type ceiling, which forms a screen for the images of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena that are projected with the help of a powerful ocular device. The planetarium compound houses a sky theatre, where all the planetarium shows are conducted. A conference hall is also located in the planetarium compound. Scholars and scientists meet to discuss important matters in the hall, which has a seating capacity of 184 people. The projector the planetarium is fitted with a number of other gadgets. The arrangement for the seating inside the planetarium is done in a comfortable and modernized way.
In Priyadarshini Museum, the Universe is projected in front of the audience at such proximity and grandeur that the audience gets captivated in it and forgets its actual distance from earth. Several shows are conducted inside the planetarium. One of the major shows being conducted at the planetarium is ‘The Man and the Universe’, which deals with the origin and the developmental stages of astronomy, its constitution and feature of planets and the origin of Universe. Some other show displays the birth and the life of a star and all the possible stages in the life of a star. Some important exhibits which are stored here include numerous models of rockets airplanes etc. Priyadarshini Museum brings space enthusiasts even closer to the Universe.
Museum of Kerala History
Civilizations flourished, legends were created and epics were formed on the soil of Kerala. These are the features which form the backdrop for the state. The Museum of Kerala History is devoted to such wonderful past, which beholds in itself the conception of both poetry and prose. Famous poet Kalidas has described Kerala as the ‘land of striking beauty’, unimaginable imagery and scenic wonders. The Museum of Kerala History is situated almost 10 kilometers from Ernakulam, Cochin, at Edapally. The museum displays the immense edifying legacy of Kerala, God's own country. The compound of Museum of Kerala History at Edapally is also an abode for the MNF Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures and the Center for Visual Arts.
The museum displays 87 life like forms made up of clay and plaster of Paris. These are the life size sculptures of the people who played major roles in moulding and re-moulding the history and culture of Kerala during the past two thousand years. Here, the history of Kerala is brought alive with the help of light and sound Tableau. By just visiting the museum once, you can have sneak peek into the cultural and traditional legacy of Kerala. The Museum of Kerala history forms a humble abode for the artifacts, scriptures and intellectual heritage of Kerala. The museum interests anyone who is keen to know about the evolution of the culture and tradition of Kerala. After a visit to this museum, you must explore the realms outside the boundaries of the museum, as you will be surprised to notice that not much has been changed in aspect of culture and legacy.
MNF Gallery of Paintings and Scriptures displays some eternal creations of art, which gives a glimpse of the magnificent past and rich cultural heritage of Kerala. A majestic statue of Lord Parsurama, who is considered the creator of Kerala, is positioned at the entrance of the gallery. There are a few larger-than-life sculptures kept at display, which are images from the Neolithic age. The art gallery exhibits the works of some of the major proponents of Indian art. This also includes the paintings which depicting the history of Kerala. The gallery displays the works of Raja Ravi Varma, Mammiyoor Krishhan Kutty Nair, Jamini Roy, Manu Parekh and M F Hussain. All the paintings displayed here are masterpieces, which sing about the lore of the lost times.
Hill Palace Museum
The Hill Palace Museum is Kerala's first heritage museum. It was set up in the year 1865 and now is an important tourist attraction. The Hill Palace Museum of Kochi is situated on a hillock and is surrounded by 50 acres of manicured lawns with fountains and ponds. The whole complex consists of around 49 buildings that are built in the traditional architectural style of Kerala. This palace used to be the residence of the rulers of Kochi at one point of time. The construction of the oldest building was completed in the year 1850. It is a single storied building in the traditional Kerala style and is called "Ettukettu". Adjacent to it is a pond and a temple. The most recent building was constructed in 1950 and the architecture style is more contemporary. The Department of Archaeology took responsibility of the building in the year 1980. The museum was open to the public in the year 1980.
The museum has 14 galleries, which displays some beautiful and rare artifacts that used to belong to the former rulers of Kerala. These items include paintings, weapons, arts, ancient carriages, etc. Among the royal collections, one can see beautiful statues, murals, majestic beds and royal ornaments like the crown encrusted with precious gems and stones. The ornaments are kept for public display in the ornaments gallery.
The gardens around the museum have been converted into botanical gardens and many plants of rare medicinal value are grown here. There is wide variety of flora here that has been brought from countries like Australia and Central America. There is also a gallery of contemporary art in this museum. There are beautiful sculptures made of plaster and other metals like brass and copper. Also, there are replicas of objects used during ancient civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjodaro that flourished in the north of India. The most popular object here is the royal throne or the "Simhasana" of the king.
Ambalayayal Museum
The vintage museum has fascinating items dating back to the second century A.D. The tourists will have to travel a distance of twelve kilometers to the southern part of Sulthan Bathery. The Ambukuthi hill is another landmark for those who want to visit this beautifully preserved museum. The backpackers can satiate their thirst for knowledge of the tribal culture that was prevalent in the hilly regions of the Wayanad.
The museum is a veritable treasure trove of seldom encountered tokens that throws light on the livelihood of the dwellers on the Wayanad hills. The assortment ranges from etchings in clay, arms carved out of stone among a host of interesting artifacts. Alike the ruins of Mohenjodaro that exhibited path breaking architectural marvels, a visit to this wonderful museum will surely make you wonder at a lifestyle that was completely avant-garde.
You can also add a trip to the Eddakal Caves that is situated at a distance of 10 kilometers from Sulthan Bathery in your travel plans. The museum throws its doors open at ten o’ clock in the morning and shuts down at five p.m. in the evening.
The Ambalavayal Museum is strategically connected, making it easier for the visitors to access it. The Kozhhikode railway station is closest to the museum. You can also avail the aerial route by alighting at the Kozhikode International Airport, that is located at a distance of one hundred and twenty kilometers from Sulthan Bathery. Buses also ply regularly to the museum.
Pazhassiraja Museum
The Pazhassi Raja Museum, located at a distance of 5 km from Kozhikode at East Hill, houses a veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art. The museum is under the Archaeological Department of the State. The museum and the art gallery are named after the great Pazhassiraja Kerala Varma of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam Royal Family. He led the famous 'Pazhassi Revolt' against the British East India Company during the second half of the 1700s.
Nicknamed the 'Lion of Kerala', the king is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805 AD. The museum has on its display ancient murals, antique bronzes and coins, megalithic relics such as diamond cysts, temple miniatures and umbrella stones.
Kuthiramalika Museum
The Kuthiramalika Museum is popularly known as Kuthira Malika, which literally means a mansion of horses. Located in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, the museum was originally a grand palace constructed by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma - the great connoisseur of art and literature. The palace is situated in the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The palace museum derives its name from the array of horses, which are carved from the wood placed to support its southern roof.
Kuthiramalika Museum was kept vacant for almost one hundred years, following the demise of Swathi Thirunal in 1846. Kuthiramalika Palace was built by the Travancore kings. The Palace still gives an insight into the Kerala culture and intellect that was contemporary at the time of its construction. A glance at Kuthiramalika Museum will reveal the glory and grandeur of the past of the royal families of Kerala. Kuthira Malika Museum is an abode of the exquisite collections of the Royal Family's remnants.
Kuthira Malika Museum stores a collection of artifacts which include Kathakali mannequins that represent the cultural edifice of Kerala. Belgian mirrors exhibited here represent the trade relations of India during olden times. The crystal chandeliers and paintings displayed here represent the taste in art. One can also find armaments here, which show the marks of military valor of the kings. The museum also exhibits musical instruments, traditional furniture and other artifacts of olden times.
Kuthiramalika Museum also stores artifacts which were actually used by the royal families - the beautifully crafted Ivory cradles of various shapes and sizes are to name a few. The palace museum also stores a couple of thrones - one made up of ivory and the other made up of Bohemian crystal. There is a unique quality in both the thrones, as both of these have a conch mark on the top of the backrest of the throne. The Conch used to be the royal emblem of Travancore. The palace is divided into different rooms, which were used for different purpose.
When it was a palace, Kuthiramalika Museum used to have an audience chamber. This chamber was used to conduct meetings regarding the routine to be followed in the empire. A library and an alcove where also located in the palace. These were used by Swathi Thirunal for meditating. Many of his famous compositions were also conceived here. The museum also stores a famous illusion painting of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma which was crafted by the famous painter Svetoslav Roerich. The major thing to notice in this painting is that the face and the shoes of the king appear facing the viewer from every corner of the room.
Krishnan Menon Museum
The Krishna Menon Museum is located in the city of Kozhikode (Calicut), right next to the Pazhassi Raja Museum. This rich repository, dedicated to Shri. Krishna Menon, stands at a place called at East Hill, situated about four and a half kilometers away from the heart of Kozhikode City.
The Krishna Menon Museum was established in 1975 in Kozhikode (Calicut). It was built especially to treasure and preserve the personal belongings and souvenirs of the former president of India and the great leader, late Shri. V. K. Krishna Menon. The display at this museum is dedicated to this eminent dignitary and takes pride in his Kerala ancestry. Shri. V.K. Krishna Menon the former Defence Minister and one of the beloved statesmen this land has produced. The art section of this museum holds on exhibit exquisite paintings, and intricately carved wood and ivory objets d'art. This section houses original oil paintings of the renowned maestro by Raja Ravi Varma and his brother Raja Raja Varma. The art section also encompasses an assemblage of authentic Kerala mural paintings and vivid examples of modern painting. A collection of stone sculptures is also on display at the art section of Krishna Menon Museum.
The Krishna Menon Museum is a major attraction to the tourists who visit Kozhikode or Calicut city. It is easily accessible through the Karipur Airport (26 km away) or from the Kozhikode Junction. KSRTC buses ply frequently to the city from various parts of the state.
