Museums in Karnataka provide the sight of the art from the past. The state of Karnataka is located in the south western part of India. The geographical terrain of this state is characterized by major rivers like Krishna and Kaveri, modern cities, scenic hill ranges, forests, waterfalls and beaches. The natural beauty of this state, along with nationally protected monuments, UNESCO`s World Heritage Sites (the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi), temples etc draw tourists to this state.
Popular Museums of Karnataka
The famous Museums of Karnataka are Cauvery Handicrafts, Jawahar Lal Nehru Planetarium, Pilikula Nisargadhama, Warship Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Melody World Wax Museum, Manjusha Museum etc. Following are the popular museums of Karnataka:
Archaeological Museum: Currently this museum has four galleries enclosing a replica of Hampi valley with a walkway all around. This museum is consisting of the graceful replicas of ruler Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara dynasty. It exhibits the sculptures of the "shaiva" faith consisting of "Virabhadra", "Bhairava", "Bhikshatanamurti", "Mahishasuramardini", "Shakti", "Ganesha", "Kartikeya" etc. The central hall has the work of art of a lookalik,e a temple with the display of "lingam", "Nandi", "Dwaramantapa" with a royal couple at frontage.
Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery (Mysore): It is located in Mysore. It is one of the seven palaces of the royal city of Mysore and is one of the most beautiful contributions of the Wodeyar Kings. It has one of the largest collections of artefacts in South India. The paintings in the gallery exceed 2000 in number and these belong to different Indian styles of painting like Mysore, Mughal and Shantiniketan. It has an auditorium which is used for traditional dance performances, music festivals and other cultural programs.
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum: It is an exquisite science museum exhibiting different elements related to science and technology. It exhibits different objects of science. The Engine Hall displays engines of different cars, machines used in industry, a jet aircraft engine, and other automatic devices along with the other halls.
Cubbon`s Park Museum: This is a government museum. It is based in a red coloured building. It is a doll`s museum. A public library is situated within its proximity inside the park premises.
Folklore Museum: It is located at Manasagangothri Campus of the University of Mysore, which showcases folk crafts and arts of the state. It displays varied kinds of folk items like Kathakali costumes, masks, puppets, sawdust and leather dolls, ink crafts, musical instruments, ceremonial headwear with figures of the folk deities, kings, queens, soldiers and many more.
HAL Aerospace Museum: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Aerospace Museum is the first aerospace museum of India. It narrates the growth of the aviation industry of the nation. Different kinds of helicopters, aircrafts, flight simulators, models of aircraft engine and a mock tower of air traffic control are even exhibited there.
Hastha Shilpa Heritage Village: It exhibits the different paintings, arts, crafts and textiles of the area. The galleries of this village portray the works and life of the district`s cultural luminaries.
Janapada Loka: It exhibits the heritage of the state. It houses a museum along with a studio and an open-air theatre. 5000 artefacts are exhibited in the museum which reflects the art and life of rural and tribal folks of the state.
Keladi Museum: This museum houses copper inscriptions, coins, palm leaf inscriptions and other antiques of the Keladi period. Idols of the Chalukya and Hoysala dating back to early 16th century and 18th century are even found there.
Rail Museum: This museum is dedicated to the railways. It houses invaluable coaches and locomotives with photographs and paintings narrating the history of Indian Railways.
Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum: This is a sand art museum with around 15 themes and perfectly maintained sand art. It displays the various kinds of sand sculptures.
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat: This is a renowned school of art. The gallery has revolving exhibits while the museum has stable displays of paintings and crafts.
Exhibits of the Museums of Karnataka
The museums of Karnataka represent the state`s cultural and historical profusion. These museums display the rare antiques, sculptures, architectural pieces, excavated materials, religious chariots, photographs that bear the tradition of art, folk art and craft, paintings, coins, inscriptions and books of immense historical value. Other items preserved in these museums are wooden carvings of divinities, masks, puppets, leather dolls, sawdust dolls from various parts of Karnataka etc.
Some of the museums of Karnataka lavishly display the art and culture as well as the religious practice of the contemporary society. Moreover, some museums exhibit medical instruments belonging to the distant past and the arms used by the ancient as well as the modern armies.