15 March 2013 Kochi, India

A visit to the Kerala Folklore Museum and Theatre today, arranged by Stanley. 20 minutes by car from Jasmin’s, but not in a tourist area, it is tucked away in a busy suburb. The timber building has been specially built, taking 7 years, by craftsmen including 60 carpenters, in the traditional style of Kerala. The inside is packed with a fascinating collection from Kerala’s past. The ground floor has some amazing life-size wood carvings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also a spectacular pageant of colourfully decorated effigies of gods and godesses, and images of animals, made for temple Festivals and Carnivals.

 

 

 

 

 

Also a large display of ancient Indian musical instruments, terracotta burial pots, a myriad of household items, paintings including this one on glass

And face art

I’m sure I’ve met this guy. Can’t quite place him though. Can anyone suggest who might have been the model for this?

The internal architecture of this building is beautiful and dramatic. Even the staircases are graced with exquisite carvings.

 

 

 

 

 

The first floor has loads of smaller stuff. I like the puppets

 

 

 

 

 

 

and masks

Sadly, many of the items on this floor are for sale, due to threatened foreclosure by the banks.

The whole of the second (top) floor is a theatre. It is a glorious room. Timbered interior architecture with carved detail (here is part of the ceiling) and hundreds of murals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope someone is able to save this place.

This afternoon I get a tuk tuk into Fort Kochi and decide to try ‘Loafers cafe’. The orange cake with nuts is interesting. I do some more watching the world go by from the top left hand window.

Jasmin’s evening meal then an early night. I have to get up at 5.45 tomorrow morning for a 6.30 departure on a 2 day excursion.

All the Best, John