KOCHI: The Folklore museum, situated on the Thevara Ferry road, has some rare historical riches that is bound to delight visitorsl.
Folklore museum is a spot where visitors can look back and see how his or her ancestors worked around life when there was no technology available. The museum is a treasure trove of history that one is either not aware or then has forgotten completely. The museum was a dream of Annie George who has been collecting rare antiques almost all her life. Says Annie, "I had been living with this dream for a long time, but I never thought it would be possible, seeing the many obstacles I faced while trying to get sanctions from the government.” The museum took seven and a half years of continuous labour since it is a privately owned place. Her collection of antiques which are displayed in the museum is a collection from 25 years that she put together with the help of 62 skilled labourers. The main reason the museum was started was to promote history and culture among the regular folks.
This museum is situated on the Thevara Ferry road which is now called the Folklore junction after the museum was build here. The entrance was build by the roof of the temple and this leads one to the reception area where visitors have to buy the entrance fee- ` 100 for adults and ` 50 for students. Some might feel the amount is a bit steep, but the cost is worth it for the riches that abound here. The reception area contains a fan which was built by the British (weighing 65 kg). The first floor is designed in the typical Malabar style all taken from the Northern part of Kerala. This room contains the Vahana or the Vehicle which the Gods travel in, musical instruments of the different time of period , terracotta objects, the mask of the Theyyam. The second floor is designed by the Cochin style taken from the old royal families still living in Kochi. This room offers us a wide variety of the different art forms from South India. The room leads to a balcony which has its own story to tell us about the rich Christian tradition in Kerala. The staircase displays ten portraits of people who lived during 18th and 17th century and their life style. The third floor is designed in the Travancore
style. This is where the numerous dance and cultural events take place. These performances are done purely on request from the visitors. The room contains a wooden ceiling which weighs 600 tonne and depicts the Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu mythology. The visitors can’t get enough of the majestic ceiling which is simply fantastic. This antique museum is also special because not a piece or stone has been taken out or made new.