Karnataka Folk Museum


Karnataka Folk Museum

Attractions

  • Mahadwara gate at entrance
  • Lokamatha Mandira
  • Loka Mahal, Chitra Kuteera & Shilpamaala
  • Aayagara Maala
  • Amphitheatre, Puppet & Videoscope theatre
  • Loka Sarovara lake
  • Halasuru chariot
  • Dodda Mane community house
  • Lokotsava event

Janapada Loka

  ( Folk Arts World), inaugurated on 12 March 1994, is the brainchild of the folklore enthusiast, the late H. L. Nage Gowda. It is an institution that is dedicated to preserving and propagating the rural folk culture of Karnataka. It is a subsidiary of the Karnataka Janapada Parishat.

Janapada Loka is set up on 15 acres of green land in Ramanagara district on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, 53 km from the Bangalore city. It houses a range of rural artifacts depicting the essence of folk literature, music, dance, festivals, sculpture and lifestyle.

The main entrance Mahadwara is adorned with the tall brass poles called Nandidwajas, Hariges (masks) and trumpets on either side. Lokamatha Mandira displays articles of daily use like storage bins, pots, utensils etc. used by rural people . In front of the Lokamatha Mandira is a life size statue of the founder Shri H.L. Nage Gowda. Loka Mahal is a 2 storeyed museum that houses puppets, masks and dolls depicting various tribes. The Central courtyard in the ground floor displays large wooden idols of Bootha or Ghost worship. Chitra Kuteera is a museum of photographs of various festivals, fairs, art forms, tribes and customs of Karnataka. Shilpamaala is a museum of inscribed stones, memorials and carvings sculpted about 1200 years ago, collected from various parts of Karnataka.

Aayagara Maala displays tools and equipments used for cooking, farming, animal husbandry and other rural activities. Dodda Mane is a community house built in the traditional rural style with a central courtyard surrounded by pillars. Loka Sarovara, once a beautiful artificial lake with peddle boat facility is now neglected. On its bank is built Saraswathi Mandira with a conference hall and a folk library. Halasuru chariot of Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor, Bangalore, which was damaged by fire and abandoned, is being restored and preserved here for its exquisite carvings. Loka Ruchi Upahara Mandira serves clean and local ethnic delicacies.

Live folk dance shows are performed on Sundays. On Sundays, visitors can see one of the 4 dance forms: Suggi Kunita, Puja Kunita, Yakshagana, Beesu Kamsale. Folk artists from all over Karnataka participate the annual folk cultural event Lokotsava, during Feb - March.

Travel info:

Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Closed on : Tuesdays
Location : Ramanagaram
Bangalore - Mysore Highway
Transit Point:
Ramanagaram bus stop