Description of the Museum of Kerala History :
Museum of Kerala History located in Kochi or Cochin is quite different from the other conventional museums we are so familiar with. Museum of Kerala History is a very different museum in all aspects and the name itself is self explanatory. The Museum is based on upholding the fascinating culture and history of Kerala which is often believed to be God's Kingdom. The main attractions of the Museum of Kerala History are believed to be the fascinating MNF Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures and the Center for Visual Arts. The MNF Gallery also goes on to highlight the creations which highlights the cultural background of the beautiful state of Kerala. The Gallery is also famous for displaying some great works of art by the Indian artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Mammiyoor Krishnan Kutty Nair and other lesser known artists. There is a statue of Parasurama the famous sage renowned as the creator or Kerala is found right at the entrance. There are some larger than life size figures of the Neolithic age kept here at the museum for display.
Some Kerala Museum are :
Ambalavayal Museum
The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum is one of the best heritage museums of Kerala. The museum boasts of one the largest collections of articles that date back to 2nd century AD.Near the Ambukuthi hill region is this heritage museum housing artifacts and belongings of the various tribes of the land.The exhibits here include rare 2nd century artefacts such as clay sculptures, ancient hunting equipments like bows and arrows, stone weapons and other curios.
Krishnan Menon Museum
The Krishna Menon Museum houses a good collection of Paintings by Raja Raja Varma and Raja Ravi Varma. A section is devoted to the Memorabilia of the late V.K. Krishna Menon, former Indian Defence Minister and national leader.The section in honour of the great Indian leader V.K Krishna Menon has on display the collection of personal belongings and souvenirs gifted by this world leader.
Museum of Kerala History
The Museum of Kerala History is at Edapally on the way to Aluva. It is the best place to have a quick glimpse of Kerala's history. A statue of Parasurama, the sage who is said to have created Kerala, greets the visitors.Life size figures depict important landmarks of civilization from the Neolithic age to the modern era. There is an excellent narration of Kerala history in the past 2000 years.It presents one-hour light and sound spectacles of life-size sculptures in concrete, of the makers of Kerala history, together with the background music and commentary with glimpses of the vastness and diversity of Kerala's history over the centuries.
Pazhassiraja Museum
The Pazhassi Raja Museum, located at a distance of 5 kms from Kozhikode at East Hill, houses a veritable treasure trove for historians and connoisseurs of art.The museum is under the surveillance of the Archaeological Deparment 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.The famous 'Pazhassi Revolt' (against the British East India Company during the second half of the 1700s) was led by Pazhassiraja.Nicknamed the 'Lion of Kerala', Pazhassiraja is also credited with introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad to resist the increasingly intolerable British colonialism. This great freedom fighter was shot dead in an encounter on 30 November 1805 AD.
Science & Technology Museum
The Science and Technology Museum, situated in Thiruvananthapuram was established with the prime objective of setting up of galleries with working or animated and participatory type of exhibits, on all disciplines of Science and Technology.The exhibits at the museum are related to science, technology and electronics. The museum mainly satisfies the curiosities of high school students interested in Science subjects. The Planetarium has 40-minute science-related shows in English at noon daily.The Observatory is situated at one of the highest points in the city near the Museum complex, opposite the Kanakakkunnu Palace. The observatory situated at an altitude of 60 m above sea level affords a bird's eye view of the city.
Hill Palace Museum
Located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi Royal Family was built in 1865. Consisting of 49 buildings, the palace is built in the Traditional Architectural Style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land.All sorts of flora of Kerala including rare medicinal plants are found here. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological Museum and Kerala's first ever Heritage Museum are the major attractions.
Kuthiramalika Museum
Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, a classic specimen of Kerala Architecture is situated in 'Kuthiramalika'. The palace, with its excellent carvings and amazing architectural designs, is by itself a slice of heritage. The museum has a wide range of exhibits representing the erstwhile state of Travancore.The Kuthiramalika Palace was built by His Highness the Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore. The Palace museum adorned with paintings and amusing collections of the erstwhile royal family. It is an example of Travancore style of architecture.
Napier Museum
An architectural splendour, the Napier Museum combines traditional Kerala style with the Chinese and Mughal influences much evident in its architecture.The 19th century English architect, Chisholm, designed the building, which houses a rare collection of archaoelogical and historical artifacts.
Priyadarshini Museum
Priyadarshini Planetorium is one of the most sophisticated and versatile planetaria in India.This fabulous planetarium complex has a centrally air conditioned Sky theatre of planetarium, Conference hall, Workshops, Sound - studio etc. with a seating capacity of 184, Priyadarsini Planetarium is rated as one of the best horizontal domed planetaria of global standards.
Sree Chitra Arts Gallery
Located in the Napier Museum grounds, Sree Chitra Art Gallery displays select Paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.The art gallery housed in a traditional building next to Napier Museum, houses the collections of the Travancore ruling family, and include an interesting assortment of turn-of-the-century Bengali school paintings, and Rajasthani and Mughal miniatures.
