Art Gallery And Krishna Menon Museum — Attraction in Kerala

Krishna Menon Museum lies very close to Kozhikode town. It is just 7 km away from the town. While the museum is well-noticed for its collection of paintings of acclaimed artists like Raja Raja Varma and Raja Ravi Varma, a special wing of the museum is dedicated to late V.K. Krishna Menon, a national leader from the state who became the Defense Minister of India.

This section displays the personal belongings of Mr. Menon, after whom the museum is named. It also displays those souvenirs which he gifted. A visit to the museum will help the students to know more about the contribution of this great leader to India as well as to Kerala, his homeland. The Krishna Menon Museum is close to Pazhassi Raja Museum. If you are an ardent fan of renowned statesman late V.K. Krishna Menon, then this place should definitely top your bucket list. The Krishna Menon Museum was established in 1975, to honour the popular Indian leader V.K. Krishna Menon, who was also our former Indian Defence Minister. The museum displays his personal belonging and souvenirs, and houses a good collection of paintings by famous artist Raja Raja Varma and Raja Ravi Varma. The museum is located in the heart of Kozhikode city at East Hill, which is also the home of another famous art gallery Pazhassiraja Museum, dedicated to the famous freedom fighter...

Pazhassiraja Museum is a history lover's paradise for it is has an impressive collection of art work from the past. The caretaker at the museum informed us that the bungalow served as a court during the British period and the cellar was in fact a jail. Although I could not find anything directly related to Pazhassiraja, the museum had a good collection of ancient coins, weights, pottery, weapons. The central room has some superb specimens of bronze art, dating between the 7th century to the 17th century. Besides, the room also has different types of kitchenware, hats, palm leaf books etc on display. In the veranda surrounding the central room, one can see balustrades, specimens of some temples from the state and a palanquin belonging to the Maharaja of Cochin. Then there is a collection of megalithic tools unearthed in the state apart from specimens from the Indus Valley. The best part though is the under ground sculpture gallery which contains about 50 - 70 specimens that depict various Hindu Gods apart from some hero stones which have single panel. Modernization of the museum is...

A Modest Glimpse into History

The Krishna Menon Art Gallery and Museum serves its purpose as a small repository of local heritage, though visitors shouldn't expect anything extraordinary. It's a modest collection that offers a brief window into the past, suitable for those with time to spare or a specific interest in the region's history.

The gallery feels more like an archive than a destination—functional but uninspiring. The exhibits are limited in scope, and the presentation is straightforward without much interactive or engaging elements. For casual visitors, it might feel underwhelming, especially if you're accustomed to larger, more dynamic museum experiences.

That said, it has its place. If you're in the area and curious or want a quick historical overview, it's worth a short visit. Just don't go out of your way for it.

⭐⭐½ out of 5 – A functional but forgettable stop for history...