As a tribute to the glorious role they have played in shaping the culture of Kochi and the state, a museum to protect the rich tradition of the Anglo-Indian and other European communities in Kerala will be set up at Fort Kochi soon. The museum will house the sculptors and the photographs of Europeans who have left a big imprint on Kerala.
Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph said that the government will extend all support to set up the museum. Initially, Rs 2 crore will be sanctioned for the project which in the future will hopefully become a landmark housing rich and varied artifacts of the English, Portuguese and the Dutch heritages.
“We owe a part of our history to them, especially in places like Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, where a majority of the communities like Anglo-Indians live. We can see their vast influence and impact on the culture here,” Dominic Presentation MLA has said.
Discussions for the museum are already underway. The Bastion Bungalow in Fort Kochi will be converted into the museum. The Bastion Bungalow which is a mix of the Indian and European architecture was built in the late 1600s and has been declared as a protected heritage site.
“The works for the museum will start soon. We will hold discussions with the officials of the Archeological Department, architects and artists in Kochi and other places. Experts in the European cultural history will also be invited. The documents related to the history and significance of the Hortus Malabaricus, which deals with the medicinal properties of the flora of the state, will also find a place in the museum,” Dominic said.