Introduction to Kerala History
Before we go on to the visuals it will be interesting to take a quick look at the pre-history of Kerala, which is lost in mists of myths and legends. However fanciful these are, they help to establish the Geographic and Political identity of this strip of land lying along the South West coast of the Indian Peninsula, which was known as Kerala even in pre-history,museum of kerala history edappally, cochin, museum of kerala history galleries museums.
The great Indian Epic,Mahabharata,which has been dated between 1500 BC and 1000 BC has many references to Kerala; so has the Ramayana, the other Indian epic.
Kerala history museum is a great attraction for tourists who visits Kerala. Here, visiters can see the historical growth of Kerala state in the southmost tip of India. Famous personalities who played significant roles in the progress of Kerala have been displayed in a chronological order. Through a light and sound show the commentator takes the visiters to a historic background.
This museum run by a charitable trust is situated on the national highway about twelve kilometers from Cochin city. It is founded in the name of a well known industrialist and philanthropist Shri. R. Madhavan Nair in 1987. It is a beautiful building round shaped made of granite.
In Kerala the ancesters lived in the forests. They were called in different names such as Kadan , Ernadan, Malappandara , Paniyar, erular etc. We can see the whole Kerala history through the beautiful statues. museum of kerala history edappally, cochin, museum of kerala history galleries museums Tribals, Adi sankara the exponent of advaitha philosophy,Marthanda varma who ruled Travancore which later became a part of Kerala, Vascodegama the 1st portugese who landed in Kerala and his Trade strategies with Samuthiri the ruler of Kozikode, famous freedom fighter Pazassiraja, Kerala traditional art form like Mamankam, Kathakali,Thullal and Mohiniyattom, Father of Malayalam language Thunchath ramanujan ezuthachan and so on.
Museum reveals one and all the history of Kerala and its traditional culture,people,dress,and lifestyle.Through light and sound show museum explains the history of Kerala from 2000 years ago.Visters can see and get an idea of 90 historic personalities, traditional arts, heritage and culture of Kerala.
At the entrance of the museum, a statue of a nair lady welcomes the visiters saying namasthe in action of welcome with holded hands. The first statue reaveals the traditional backward communities both ladies and gents who lived in forests centuries back. They did hunting for their livelihood with their premitive tools and weapons.
Samuthiri king was very careful about the development of the country in 12th centuary. He constructed royal godowns to keep goods for foreigners in Kozikode harbour. Marthanda varma who was the king of Travancore contributed extensively for the growth of art and culture. Pazassi raja who was a famous freedom fighter of kerala.Through the show everybody can get the information about Kerala history.
The statue of Kalarippayattu attraction the attention of visiters. Especially the statue of Unniyarcha takes us the period of Vadakan pattu when Kalrippayatuu was practised by young women and men.After a visit to the museum and seeing the light and sound show we get a clear view of the gradual development of Kerala from the pre historic times.
Puranas which are mainly legendary stories involving Gods and Godesses of the Hindu pantheon and generally dated between 500 BC and 500 AF contain references to Kerala. An interesting one comes from Kalidasa the famed Indian poet and dramatist ( circa 4th Century AD) who in his Raghuvamsa describes the march of King Dilipa and his army all through the sub-continent of India. Arriving in Kerala, the women run in fright, their lovely tresses laden with the dust raised from the advancing army.
The Museum of Kerala History is at Edapally on the way to Aluva. It is the best place to have a quick glimpse of Kerala's history. A statue of Parasurama, the sage who is said to have created Kerala, greets the visitors.
Life size figures depict important landmarks of civilization from the Neolithic age to the modern era. There is an excellent narration of Kerala history in the past 2000 years.
It presents one-hour light and sound spectacles of life-size sculptures in concrete, of the makers of Kerala history, together with the background music and commentary with glimpses of the vastness and diversity of Kerala's history over the centuries.
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The commentary is in English as well as in Malayalam. 87 figures who shaped the history and culture of Kerala in the last two thousand years have been represented here in Light and Sound Tableaus.
The story, from the Early peoples of Kerala to the modern age is interspersed with Social, Cultural and literary facets is a fascinating one.
Kerala !
The social, cultural and political history of Kerala is linked to India history. Even though it may not reflect poet Kalidasa's picturesque imagery,the state's natural beauty is beyond question.
Mulk Raj Anand, the well-known doyen of Indian writers visited this Museum and wrote a commemorative article.