Kerala history museum, a Cinderella among treasure haunts

Thiruvananthapuram: If one asks directions for Keralam - Museum of History and Heritage, one is likely to be pointed to the gates of Napier museum. For, not too many of the erudite city residents know that three thousand years of Kerala’s history has been condensed into a 7000-square-feet building next to the Corporation office.

Even on days when the footfall at Napier museum crosses several thousands, this little space would be relatively empty. Its staff says that its monthly income has never crossed '12,000. The museum’s administrative and maintenance cost is met through projects it helps coordinate, as it is the nodal agency of all museums under the Cultural Affairs Department.

Now, what does one miss if one does not visit this museum? Several interesting facts about Kerala, like how civilization started a little late here. On display are stone axes collected from the banks of Periyar River proving that from 3000 BC to 1000 BC Kerala had Neolithic inhabitations. Compare that to the Indus valley civilization – the famous dancing girl bronze statue unearthed from Mohenjodaro which is dated around 2500 BC. Consultant archaeologist Elizabeth Thomas Tharakan says, “There was no flat, alluvial plain here for civilization to flourish unlike the Indus valley civilization.”

Another interesting pre-historic exhibit is the burial urn. When these were excavated, not all would have bones or other mortal remains, according to Elizabeth. Some would have smaller urns holding grains, tools or jewellery. “The urns prove that they believed in an afterlife,” says Salim Kadakkal, guide lecturer.
There are idols from the Sangam era, replicas of murals, a model of an old kitchen with 150-year-old utensils and a nalukettu. There is also a special collection – things which once belonged to former Diwan of Travancore T Madhava Rao’s. This includes a music box, his ivory comb and cutlery, donated by his great granddaughter Urmila Lal.

All this for an entry fee of '20 (Rs 200 for foreigners). “A great proportion of the visitors are foreign tourists, who may have seen our brochures at various hotels. We used to write to schools to send in students. This place needs to be seen,” says Kabeer Mohammed, administrative assistant.