Karnataka Museums
Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery
Established
in 1865, the museum houses sculpture from the Hoysala, Nolamba and Gandhara
periods. Also on view are antiquities from Mohenjodaro and terracotta from Mathura.
The painting section includes miniature paintings from the Rajasthani and Pahari
schools. there are also traditional paintings from the Among the miscellaneous
items are ivory carvings and inlay work, sandal-wood caskets and other ohjeci-and
arms and armoury.
Visvesvarya Industrial and Technological Museum
One of the few museums of its kind in India, the Visvesvaraya Technological
Museum has within its portals various scientific disciplines. Exhibits are placed
behind glass panels, with buttons which are pressed for the experiments to begin.
The Electrotechnic Gallery has various electrotechnic experiments and the history
of the development of telephone technology. There is also a wall display of
long distance telephone operations along with all its essential components.
The Timber, Paper and Metals Gallery has a life size model of a man and woman
tending a plant. There is a fascinating wall model of the map of India which
is a console with various buttons. Over this are the names of twelve types of
trees. Between the name of the tree and the button is a small square glass case.
Press a button and the glass lights up with a picture of the specified tree.
Corresponding areas where the tree exists light up on the map, indicating its
areas of growth. The metal section has replicas of ancient gold coins, the oldest
dating to the 4th century AD.
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery
Built in 1861 as a formal entertainment palace for the Mysore royal family,
the Jagan Mohan palace became a museum 1915 under the patronage of the maharaja.
The entrance hall has a photographic depiction of royal activities in the erstwhile
state. A quaint but popular exhibit is the French calendar clock where a group
of soldiers play music to indicate the hour. The Mysore Royal Family Gallery
has life size portraits painted by Indian and European artists attached to the
court. An oil painting by Wesksler, the Wedding Durbar of late His Highness
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1900) is spectacular. Another interesting exhibit is
a genealogical table of the Mysore kings from 1399 till today, painted in a
leaf form in the Mysore style of art.
Tipu Sultan Museum
The
Tipu Sultan Museum lies within the portals of the Daria Daulat Palace, once
his summer palace and later appropriated by Arthur Wellesley. Constmcted mainly
in wood, the structure rests on a vast plinth. The walls and ceilings are elaborately
painted. The murals on the outer walls depict scenes from Tipu's wars while
the interior walls are ornately painted with abstract designs and floral motifs.
An open verandah surrounds the central edifice and green blinds protect the
murals from the elements.
Archeological Museum 1
The Adil Shahi sultans ruled the Deccan from Bijapur between 1480 and 1680.
The museum consequently houses antiquities from that period. These include armoury,
porcelain, coins, Miniature paintings, manuscripts and carpets. On view are
stone sculpture and inscriptions in Kannada, Devanagari, Arabic and Persian.
District Museum
The Museum at Hassan, established in 1977, houses a major collection of archaeological
antiquities. On view are sculpture, both stone and bronze, inscriptions and
coins. Also displayed are paintings, arms and weapons.
Archeological Museums 2
Both
these museums are under the Archaeological Survey of India. The Chalukya kings
were prolific builders, as is evident from the structures at Aihole and Badami.
Consequently both the museums house stone sculpture, panels and architectural
fragments.
Archeological Museum, Hampi
Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, is a highly impressive complex
of monuments. On view at the museum are stone sculpture, architectural panels
and lintels. Also displayed are gold coins, copper plates and illustrated palm
leaf manuscripts.
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