Museum of Kerala History
The Museum of Kerala History is located on the National Highway just after Edapally on the way to Aluva. It is one stop, not just foreign tourists but even Malayalees, should never miss to take, at least once. Founded by the late Mr.R.Madhavan Nair, a seafood exporter and connoisseur of art and artifacts. A stroll through the corridors of the museum takes you period by period through the pages of Kerala's history and what's more, reveals the splendours of classical and modern art. Located on a generous plot of land full of tall trees and carpeted lush green with a garden full of blooming flowers, it is a pleasant getaway. The artistically designed alleyways laid with black granite stones provide an excellent backdrop for the complex. The din and bustle of the busy highway fails to disturb one's peace and tranquillity within the complex. Established in 1987, the museum is perhaps the only one of its kind in India. The museum brings to life, in magnificent sweep, the entire history of Kerala and all its social, cultural, political and religious life through about 90 lifesize statues of the makers of history in a soundandlight show, set in appropriate and authentic background. More than just a chronicle of political events and transformation, one can witness the relationship from the dawn of history between Keralam and Thamizhakam, the Aryan descents from the north, centuries before the arrival of St.Thomas, the Apostle in 52 AD. The Advaita vedanta of Adi Sankaracharya, the Maharaja Marthanda Varma, Tipu Sultan, Kathakali which is Kerala's contribution to art, Dr. Hermann Gundert etc. The flitting lights, the colourful background music, set to synchronize with the impact of the visual together produce an enduring impression. The Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures in the museum are on the fourth floor and very aesthetically conceived. It contains 250 original paintings of Indian masters like Raja Ravi Varma, M.F Hussain, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Kishan Khanna, Abindranath Tagore, Bhunen Kakhar and many others. The Centre for Visual Arts within the complex displays about 400 authentic and high quality reproductions of paintings of world masters including Cezanne, Titian, Leonardo Da Vinci, Monet, Ucello, Van Gough, Picasso and others. The Dolls museum on the first floor has a spectacular and colourful collection of beautiful dolls in glass modules of people from all parts of India.
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