Kottarakkara Thampuran Memorial Museum of Classical Arts at Kottarakkara in Kollam district is a museum started to preserve the memory of the founder of Kathakali Sri Kottarakkara Thampuran at his birthplace.
This Kovilakam that houses the museum was the headquarters of Ilayidathu Swaoopam, a branch of the Venad dynasty, is more than 450 years old. The classical study centre started in 1983 under the name of Kottarakkara Thampuran, was shifted to this palace in 2010. The memories of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who gave birth to Kathakali, which has grown into a world-class art form, are reborn here in front of the visitors.
The museum exhibits life size figures of Kathakali and Mohiniyattam in their original costumes. Objects are arranged in five galleries with an emphasis on classical arts, especially Kathakali. There are five galleries in the museum, viz., the Hand Gestures Gallery, the Kathakali Costumes Gallery, the Coins Gallery, the Sculpture Gallery and the Megalithic Gallery. Gestures of Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, technics and positions, books, ornaments and costumes used by great masters in this field, rare musical instruments including the five faced Mizhavu, gun of colonel John Munro, various ancient tools and utensils, porcelain, coins and sculptures, etc. are exhibited here.
This museum near the Kottarakkara Mahaganapati Temple offers art researchers and students extensive knowledge of Kerala's rich art tradition.
Visiting Time: 9.00-4.30
Holidays: Monday, National Holiday
Address: KottarakkaraThampuran Memorial Museum of Classical Arts, Kottarakkara P.O, Kollam 691506.
Phone: 0474 2066505
