Located in the centre of Kochi, the Kerala Folklore Museum is a special place filled with art, objects, and traditions from many centuries ago. The museum’s building is unique and shows different architectural styles from Kerala, Malabar, and Tamil cultures, making it a perfect setting for its large collection. You can see detailed wood carvings, colourful veils, old instruments, and customary attire that all recount Kerala’s set of experiences. Whether you love history, workmanship, or simply investigating, the Kerala Folklore Museum allows you to encounter the core of this wonderful district.
About Kerala Folklore Museum
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The Kerala Folklore Museum is located near Thevara in Cochin. It’s a fascinating place that displays art and culture. Annie George started it in 2009, and it’s a museum run by her family. They have collected over 5,000 items to show visitors. Visitors can explore gallery art, watch live dance performances (from ritualistic to martial arts), and purchase souvenirs and fine arts.
The museum has three floors. The ground floor displays artefacts from Malabar, the first floor features collections from the Portuguese era in Kochi, and the second floor highlights items from Travancore. Each floor provides insights into Kerala’s ancient temples, traditional houses, and rich cultural heritage.
Its treasures include jewellery, manuscripts, musical instruments, and costumes from folk art forms like Theyyam. The intricately carved wooden ceilings enhance its charm and cultural significance.
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History Of Kerala Folklore Museum
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The Kerala Folklore Museum hall in Kochi briefly looks into the area’s social past, underlining exceptionally old practices and legacy. Located in the lively city, it offers a fascinating look into Kerala’s folklore and artistic expressions. Founded in 2009 by anthropologist and art collector George J. Thaliath, the museum reflects his passion for preserving and displaying Kerala’s diverse cultural heritage.
Thaliath protected the many art forms, rituals, and traditions essential to Kerala’s identity. Over the years, he collected many artefacts, each telling a unique story of Kerala’s past. This collection includes traditional dance forms, musical instruments, religious items, and everyday objects that show the life and culture of the people of Kerala.
Architecture Of Kerala Folklore Museum
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The Kerala Folklore Museum is more than just a collection of cultural artefacts; it’s a living example of the region’s architectural heritage. This incredible museum includes about 25 traditional buildings from different parts of Kerala, carefully reconstructed.
The museum combines three distinct architectural styles: Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore. Each style has unique features, and their combination in one structure showcases Kerala’s rich and diverse architectural traditions. The main museum was built using parts from these old heritage buildings. This huge project took 62 traditional carpenters 7.5 years to complete. These skilled artisans meticulously recreated the intricate details and craftsmanship that are key to Kerala’s architectural traditions.
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Things To Do
The Kerala Folklore Museum in Kochi is a fascinating location honouring the region’s rich history and stories. Here’s what you can see when you visit:
- Antique Shop: The museum has a store that sells old and valuable items. Visitors can see and purchase these pieces of heritage. Each item has age, materials, historical significance, and value information.
- View the Artifacts: The museum houses an impressive collection of over 6,000 artefacts, including stone, wood, and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, Stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, masks, and traditional art forms. You’ll find everything from tiny to large-sized artefacts on display.
- Face Art Gallery: Discover the diverse world of paintings at the Face Art Gallery. Here, you can buy modern and traditional artworks made by local artists. They include oil paintings, murals, and portraits that showcase Kerala’s lively artistic styles.
- Ethnic Handicrafts: In the Ethnic Handicrafts section, you’ll find many special things like handwoven products, Kerala saris, cotton fabrics, and natural dress materials. Each item is made with great care and skill, showing the traditions and culture of Kerala. It’s like a window into the past!
- Jewellery Shop: The Jewellery Shop is a special place to see beautiful Kerala jewellery and handwoven items. They have intricate designs and skilled craftsmanship that are unique to Kerala. It’s like getting a peek into the rich cultural traditions of jewellery and adornment in the region.
- Spice Art Cafe: Take a relaxing break at the Spice Art Cafe, which is set in a heritage setting. Enjoy coffee while exploring the kitchen museum, which displays old Kerala kitchen utensils and ceramics, adding a food-related aspect to your museum visit.
Timings And Entrance Fees
The Kerala Folklore Museum in Kochi is open every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. If you want to visit, adults pay INR 100 for confirmation, while children pay INR 50. Inside the historical centre, you’ll find a plethora of fascinating artefacts that depict Kerala’s way of life and history. It is similar to requiring an adventure through investment!
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How To Reach Kerala Folklore Museum
To reach the Kerala Folklore Museum using different modes of transportation:
By Air: The closest airport to the Kerala Folklore Museum is Cochin International Airport. Upon arrival, you can hire a cab to the museum, which is approximately 35 km away and takes about 1 hour by road, depending on traffic.
By Railway: Ernakulam South Rail Railway Station, otherwise called Ernakulam Intersection, is the closest rail line station to the historical centre. From here, you can take a cart to arrive at your objective. The gallery is around 8 km away, with a movement season of close to 30 minutes.
By Bus: The Ernakulam Bus Stand, also known as Vyttila Mobility Hub, is near the Kerala Folklore Museum. You can easily catch a bus from here to the museum, approximately 6 km away.
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Kerala Folklore Museum hall resembles a unique spot where you can find out about the set of experiences and customs of Kerala. It has beautiful artefacts like wooden carvings and colourful masks that tell stories from the past. After your visit, you’ll feel a stronger connection to Kerala’s culture. So, don’t miss out on the chance to explore the captivating culture of Kerala. Book your trip to Kerala today and submerge yourself in its captivating customs, amazing scenes, and warm accommodation.
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Cover Image Credit: Rabe! For wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Kerala Folklore Museum
What can I see at the museum?
The museum boasts a collection of around 5000 artefacts, including stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, Stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, woodwork, utensils, masks and more.
How much time should I allow for my visit?
Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours at the museum to comfortably explore the exhibits. If you have a particular interest in Kerala's folklore and art, you might even want to allocate more time.
Is there a focus on any particular aspect of Kerala's culture?
The museum offers a well-rounded perspective on Kerala's cultural heritage. However, you'll find a significant focus on traditional art forms, tribal life, and everyday objects used by people over the past millennium.
Does the museum have other facilities?
The Kerala Folklore Museum offers a unique cultural experience beyond the exhibits. They have a theatre where you can enjoy live performances of classical and folk dances, martial arts demonstrations, and other cultural activities. The museum also has an on-site cafe serving traditional Kerala cuisine, a souvenir shop selling handicrafts and artefacts, and an art gallery showcasing contemporary art.
Is there parking available at the museum?
Yes, the museum provides parking facilities for visitors. However, the availability of parking spaces can vary, so it’s advisable to arrive early, especially during peak visiting hours.
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