Kerala Museums

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Government Museum
Founded in 1857 the museum is located within a spacious park and zoological garden. The art collection covers aspects of Kerala’s rich heritage, especially stone, wood and bronze sculpture. Over the centuries Kerala developed a unique style of craftsmanship in the visual and performing arts. The Bronze Gallery displays the special characteristics of bronzes from Kerala which were distinct from the ones from Tamil Nadu.

Though the bronzes may date to the same period, they are shorter and stockier, with squarish jaws, sharp eyes and nose. The images also tend to be more ornate with elaborate jewellery and clothing. The 9th century Vishnu Srinivasa is one of the oldest pieces. However, the later figures of the Notoraja, numerous devis and other deities follow similar patterns of ornamentation.

Sri Chitra Art Gallery 
The Art Gallery has on view various genres of paintings. There are sections on contemporary Indian art, one on the paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, miniature paintings from the Mughal and Rajasthani schools, Persian, Chinese and Japanese art and copies of murals which embellished the walls of many temples and palaces in Kerala.

Art Gallery and Krishna Menon Museum 
V K Krishna Menon was on the post independent India’s irr politicians. Consequently one of the museum’s most significant sections is devoted to the personal Menon and effectively evolution and growth Republic. The Art Gallery section houses the arts and crafts of Kerala especially paintings and carvings in wood and ivory.

State Museum and Zoo 
This multi purpose exhibition established in 1885, has a significant natural historv section. This includes zoological. botanical and geological specimens. Also on view areartefacts related to the art and indusi archaeological antiquities and old coins.
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Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum
This museum, established in 1980, is named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who is remembered for his great love for children. In fact, his birthday 14 November is celebrated as Children’s Day. The museum displays a vast range of objects. On view are dolls, both traditional and porcelain dolls from all over the world; traditional Indian masks. The philately section includes post independence commemorative postage stamps. There is also a section on children’s paintings from all ov world, a mini aquarium and the issues of children’s literature in Malayalam.