Abstract:
A huge museum spread across 37327sqm with a Built up Area of 22467sqm is established
at Tamukkam ground, Madurai to exhibit the rich Culture and Heritage of the Tamil people
and culture, and the history of it through the course of time
There are four galleries dedicated to display the culture rich history of the Sangam period
and also the heritage of it.
The varied culture, tradition, practices of the people who inhabited various ecological
environments like Kurinji (hilly region), Mullai (jungle & forest region), Marudham (Pasture
lands and valleys), Neidhal (coastal region) and Palai (parch land or desert region). Tamil
literature has various poems and stories that explains about their livelihood. Each
geographical landscape are described by their own types of trees, flora and fauna, food and
the people’s livelihood. The first Gallery displays the before said landscapes with life size
models. There were almost six Dynasties that ruled over Tamil Nadu in the past. Out of
them, there were three dynasties whose contribution to the Tamil Land and Tamil language
are significant. This is exhibited in gallery 2 with three different levels dedicated to each
Dynasty will be stablished. It's going to go a long way in teaching as well as explaining
culture rather than just reading about it. All of these can now be explored in a 12-
dimensional virtual reality space. It's going to look and sound like a true encounter. This
marks the purpose of the third Gallery. The last gallery displays as many as 120 oil paintings
and 230 exhibits, and numerous findings and artefacts excavated in the Keezhadi
excavation site, which is situated around 40km away from Madurai.
Apart from this, there are two big temporary exhibition space provided. Literary conferences
and cultural study with the involvement of specialists from all around the world are taking
place here. The museum is intended to help reach out to as many individuals as it possibly
can.
The site as a few existing structures along the edge, which is retrofitted with functions such
as small eateries and art & craft haat to keep the edge active. There is a Kalaiarangam
(Auditorium) which is at the main entrance of the sit. This is retained with minimal renovation
done, to retain its cultural and heritage Value.
