COIMBATORE: After around 15 years, the Multipurpose Government Museum, which houses around 1,500 archaeological and anthropological artefacts that illustrate the history and culture of Coimbatore region, will finally have its own space within the campus of the Semmozhi Poonga.
Kavitha Ramu, director of Government Museums, told TNIE that the state government issued a order on Friday allocating 3,600 square feet of space for the museum inside the Semmozhi Poonga campus. "We requested a separate area to accommodate all the artefacts collected by the government museum, and the state government has granted this space. Further developments will take place soon," she stated.
Currently, the museum is operating from the Nehru Stadium premises on a rental basis and is in need of space to showcase its treasures. The department recommended various locations to establish a permanent museum, and ultimately, the state government approved space in Semmozhi Poonga.
"While the park highlights the values of Tamil culture and the heritage of Coimbatore, the museum will enhance that narrative. The museum will play a significant role in the Semmozhi Poonga campus," said KA Murugavel, curator of the museum.
The new location will feature a building just 20 feet from the Semmozhi Poonga entrance. Additionally, nearby facilities such as a convention hall and open amphitheatre will be available for educational purposes. Murugavel added that aside from the gallery space for exhibitions, there will be a large open area where idols and stone inscriptions can be displayed.
Meanwhile, the museum department is planning to display the artefacts in several themes like archaeological excavations (including prehistoric and megalithic artefacts, metal war objects, palm leaf manuscripts, metal and stone idols, folk deities, stone inscriptions, paintings, hero stones, and memorial stones), anthropology (artefacts from the region's tribal communities, votive offerings, and musical instruments), science (covering botany, zoology, and geology), wood carving, and remnants of human civilisation development.
The government museum was established in Coimbatore in 1990, and relocated to Nehru Stadium in 2009. Officials are also discussing the entry fee policy.