The Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura will soon get a major makeover. According to Rani George, secretary, Kerala State Cultural Affairs Department, who recently visited the palace, told ‘City Express’ that the department will undertake steps to modify the exhibits at the museum. “Since 1986, no changes have been made in the arrangements of exhibits. Now, we have decided to display the exhibits in a more attractive manner at the museum. Talks are on in this regard in the the departmental-level,” she said.
Rani George added that the plan is to make the galleries, which exhibit ornaments, paintings and sculptures, more attractive. “Special display will be given to the most-valuable exhibits in the museum, including the crown of the erstwhile Cochin Royal Family. However, the final decision is yet to be taken in this regard,” she said.
Rani George added that she had visited the museum last Sunday to study what can be done to upgrade the status of the museum. “I will discuss the matter with Cultural Department officials and Cultural Minister K C Joseph,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hill Palace Registrar K R Sona expressed hope that the visit of the secretary will help them get sanction for the projects prepared to enhance the image of the protected monument. “We have been requesting the officials of the Cultural Ministry steps to implement the projects to make the museum more attractive. This will increase the flow of visitors to the museum,” she said.
Sona added that the Hill Palace Museum and the Centre for Heritage Studies had been overlooked in the list of institutions eligible for financial aid from the Culture Ministry for the last couple years. “The situation must be changed and more funds must be allotted to institutions. The state government and the Hill Palace authorities must work together for the development of the largest archaeological museum in Kerala,” she added.