Folklore Museum Mysore

Mysore in the southern state of Karnataka has a number of museums which preserve the historical past of the city. A very interesting tourist spot that is a must in the itinerary of the travelers is the Folklore Museum in Mysore. One of the Museums in Mysore , the Folklore Museum consists of a large display of art and crafts from all over the southern state of Karnataka.

Founded in 1968, the Folklore Museum in Mysore is situated in the premises of the University of Mysore which also houses the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion. The museum display includes a large selection of folk art and crafts from across the state. The Folklore Museum in Mysore has an excellent collection of around 7,000 unique folklore exhibits from across the city.

The exhibits at the Folklore Museum at Mysore include temple chariots and wooden items from Mekkekatte. A wide variety of religious objects belonging to Soliga tribe are also exhibited at the Museum. The Museum also features a variety of items from the rural districts of the state. The items include the regional garments, musical instruments and ceremonial headwear and masks.

While touring the Museum one should watch the wooden figures from villages. The leather puppets are another interesting item displayed at the Folklore Museum of Mysore.

Few of the other valuable items displayed at the Museum are:

• Accessories and costumes of Yakshagana, the classical art form of the state
• Costumes of Kathakali, classical dance form from the neighboring state of Kerala
• Crown of Hanuman from the rural district of North Karnataka
• Folk deities from different regions of the state
• Figures of rural Gods and Goddesses, soldiers
• Sawdust dolls from the rural districts of the state
• Traditional costumes of dramatists from the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

The visiting hours of the Folklore Museum are between 10.00 am to 5.00pm. The museum remains close on Sunday and second Saturday of the month.