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.


