A display of large collection of superior quality driftwood articles of very high artistic value, prepared through a rare and innovative modern artform
A Museum displaying a unique collection of superior quality driftwood articles of very high artistic value, prepared through a rare and innovative modern art form, is functioning at the scenic village of Kumarakom. A Visitor would find there a huge collection of root sculptures of various shapes and designs.
During her professional tenure in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago, a dynamic lady school teacher used to pick up pieces of driftwood deposited by the sea on the shores, comprising of twisted tree trunks, stumps, roots etc., which had potential for transformation into sculptures with marginal efforts, thanks to the Bay of Bengal prone to frequent cyclones that make the sea turbulent and unpredictable. Every cyclone brought back as many things to the shore as it washed away from it. Some of these wood pieces and roots were centuries old and having drifted across the seas they became more resilient. Having traversed vast distances, what is left of a tree is its sturdiest part which has weathered much inclemency. The picked up pieces were cleansed, crumbling parts removed, scraped and trimmed to conform to the shape she had in mind. In the course of the process, it so happened, the Nature's original designs could emerge more forcefully, evocatively and permanently. Many of these pieces closely resemble birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. Shaping, scraping, polishing, finishing and preserving were done with fierce dedication.
The admirers and connoisseurs of this rare and innovative form of art frequent the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. The student community finds the art form adopted in the preparation of the exhibits in the museum interesting and educative as the museum inculcates in them the qualities of imagination, creativity, originality and initiative to produce useful articles out of materials normally considered waste.
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Explore the Major Museums in Kerala |
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Ambalavayal Heritage Museum
The archaeological museum in Wayanad, has one of Kerala's largest collections of the remnants of an era dating back to the 2nd century A.D. |
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Arakkal Kettu
This was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. |
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Archaeological Museum Thrissur
Houses a gallery of murals from all over Kerala and preserves a rare treasure of Veerakallu, temple models, olagrandhangal (manuscripts on dry palm leaves), megaliths etc. |
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Art Museum
Located in the Zoo compound, the art museum displays collections of wood carvings, metal sculptures and ancient jewellery. |
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Bastion Bungalow
Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667, the Bungalow gets its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old Dutch fort. |
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Bay Island Driftwood Museum
A display of large collection of superior quality driftwood articles of very high artistic value, prepared through a rare and innovative modern artforms. |
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Biotechnology Museum
Entrance fee: Adults: Rs.10 Children: Rs. 5 |
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Chacha Nehru Childrens Museum
Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. |
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Chittur Garumadam
Located on the banks of the river Sokanasini (the destroyer of sorrows), this is a memorial to Thunchath Ezhuthachan. |
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Folklore Museum
Set up in 1992, the museum is a treasure trove of quaint musical instruments, occupational implements, household utensils, models of folk art etc. |
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Hill Palace Museum
The Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, is today the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. |
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Indo Portuguese Museum
The Indo-Portuguese Museum situated in Fort Kochi throws light on the strong Portuguese influence in both the art and the architecture of the region. |
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KCS Panicker Gallery
Nominated as one of the nine eminent artists of India, Kerala's renowned painter Panicker, was born in 1911. |
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Kerala History Museum Ernakulam
The unassuming gallery houses immortal creations that will give you glimpses of the glorious history and rich cultural legacy of this land. |
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Kirtads
This unique museum houses the tools and devices used by the ancient tribal communities of Kerala. |
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Krishna Menon Museum
This museum has an exclusive wing dedicated to the late V. K. Krishna Menon, renowned statesman. |
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Krishnapuram Palace Kayamkulam
Krishnapuram Palace is a rare specimen of the Kerala style of architecture - complete with gabled roofs, narrow corridors and dormer windows. |
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Kunnamangalam
'Water Heritage Museum' highlights the significance of water in relation to man and and also its usage in day-to-day life, with special emphasis of Kerala's traditions involving the use of water. |
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Kuthiramalika Puthenmalika Palace
The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. |
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Madhavan Nayar Foundation
Showcases historic episodes from the neolithic to the modern era through life size figures. |
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Maritime Museum
Throws light on the genesis, history, evolution and landmarks of the Indian Navy. |
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Napier Museum and Art Gallery Thiruvananthapuram
Built in the 19th century, this Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a natural air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. |
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Natural History Museum
Houses some excellent galleries like the skeletal, bird, animal and taxidermy gallery as well as a museum. |
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Numismatics Museum
The rare and historically valuable collection of coins give an insight into the trade relations of the State. |
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Pazhassiraja Museum and Art Gallery Kozhikode
Displays the acclaimed paintings of Kerala's cherished artists, Raja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) whose works brought international repute to the State and his uncle Raja Raja Varma. |
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Police Museum
On display are police arms of the 18 th and 19 th centuries and various other exhibits. |
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Priyadarshini Planetarium
One of the most versatile planetariums in the country. |
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Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum
Collections of artistic and also of antique value become objects of appreciation and wonder for the public. |
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Sampaloor
Among the displayed items are major attractions like the cannon balls used by the invading army of Tippu Sultan; the holy vestments of priests; tablets that describe the old liturgical order and the tabernacle of the old church. |
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Science and Technology Museum Complex
The museum houses galleries on electricity, electronics, power & motion, mechanics, popular science, mathematics, solar energy as well as automobile, computer and biomedical engineering. |
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Sree Chithra Art Gallery
Displays original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich; exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India as well as paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. |
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Sree Chithra Enclave
This museum depicts the history of the Travancore Royal Family and displays their personal belongings and artefacts. Old newspaper footage and deeds describing events are also exhibited. |
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Tea Museum Munnar
Houses curious, photographs and machineries, each depicting a turning point that contributed to a flourishing tea industry, as seen today in the region. |
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Teak Museum Nilambur
A house to the treasures of historical, aesthetic and scientific aspects of Teak. |
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Thakazhi Museum Smritimandapam
This museum-cum-memorial hall is dedicated to the memory of the late Thakazhi Sivasankaran Pillai |
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The Bishops House
Houses precious artefacts collected from various churches under the Cochin diocese. |
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University Observatory
Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird's eye view of the city from here. |
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Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
Houses a rich treasure of marine wealth has perfected the Image Pearl production technique, by which a mould of any shape made of shell cement is implanted into the pearl oyster. |
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Zoological Park
A reptile house with different species of snakes and a vulture house are also located within the premises. |
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