Kerala Folklore Museum
| Place | Kochi |
|---|---|
| State | Kerala |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2009 |
| Museum Type | Anthropology and Cultural History (Private Heritage Museum) |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | 2059C, No 26, Pandit Karuppan Rd, near Thevara Ferry Road, Junction, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682013 |
| Visiting Time | 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Open daily) |
| Entry Fee | ₹200 for Indians / ₹500 for Foreigners (Special discounts for students with valid ID: ₹100). |
Museum Introduction
Founded in 2009 by Annie George and George Thaliath, the Kerala Folklore Museum is a stunning architectural marvel located at Thevara. It was constructed over seven years by 62 master carpenters using salvaged components from ancient, dilapidated ancestral homes (Tharavads) and temples. The museum serves as a cultural hub to preserve the dying folklore, traditional arts, and architectural heritage of South India.
General Collections
The museum houses over 4,000 artifacts across three floors, each representing a different architectural style: Malabar (Ground Floor), Kochi (First Floor), and Travancore (Second Floor). The collection includes ancient terracotta, stone and wood sculptures, folk art masks, traditional jewelry, and musical instruments.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum features an extraordinary gallery of Theyyam and Kathakali masks and costumes, some dating back centuries. A prized exhibit is the Chithrakoodam—a 17th-century wood-carved ceiling depicting astrological signs. It also houses the Manichitrathazhu (ornate traditional locks) and rare scroll paintings detailing ancient Vedic rituals.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The third floor features a traditional theater (Kalithattu) with a magnificent wood-carved ceiling, where live performances of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu are held in the evenings. The building itself is an "encyclopedia of Kerala architecture." |
| Artifacts | Kathakali costumes and masks; 16th-century bronze idols; Stone age tools; Traditional ritualistic headgears; Ancestral domestic utensils; Ancient manuscripts on palm leaves; Wood-carved deities from temple chariots. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details |
+91 484 266 5452 +91 94470 32960 |
| Email ID | info@keralafolkloremuseum.org |
Artifact Gallery
