Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) is housed in the heritage building ‘Wellington Lodge’ in the heart of Mysore city. The Museum began functioning from 2001. The key programmes of the Museum are interactive educational programmes, exhibitions and training programmes. It also holds cultural programmes comprising folk arts, tribal traditions and various other theatrical performances. Music and folk culture remain important components of the programmes held here.

The headquarters of IGRMS is in Bhopal.

History

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya or the National Museum of Mankind was established with a view to portray the journey of man through time and space. It holds both indoor and open air exhibitions along with the depiction of different cultures and traditions, both which are integral part of human growth and evolution.

It can be said that the idea of such a museum on the evolution of man was a result of the museum movements that was happening all over the world. Sachin Roy, an anthropology scholar, put forth the idea of setting up a museum wholly dedicated to Man in 1970. He wanted a museum which would present human creativities and progress through inter-disciplinary method. He suggested that since it will not be possible to set up a museum through a single approach, it was necessary that different groups, research institutions, museums and a combination of anthropological, historical, social, economic, and political spheres so that a deep and well researched portrayal of man’s journey could be depicted in the museum.

An enthusiastic response from the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi made Roy’s proposal a reality. The proposal was officially mooted in 1975 and the work started in 1977. In 1978, Bhopal was chosen as the site to set up the National Museum of Man. A 200-acre land was finalized at Shamla hills and by March 1985, the Museum came into existence. Though earlier it was named as Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya or National Museum of Man, in 1993, it was renamed after Indira Gandhi as a token of appreciation to her enthusiastic involvement in the establishment of the museum.

Exhibitions

There are three categories of exhibitions at IGRMS which include open exhibitions, indoor gallery exhibitions and temporary exhibitions.

These exhibitions depict the entire journey of different communities and their local culture and heritage. The main view of these exhibitions is to present the cultural diversity of India and highlight the unity underlying this varied heritage.

There are rotating exhibitions comprising various art forms of rural India. Handicrafts belonging to different states from earlier times to present day are depicted well. There are good exhibits of Rajasthani art such as embroidery and even the magnificent terra cotta sculptures from the desert state.

Workshops

The Museum organizes two-week workshops on various art forms such as folk art forms, tribal arts mask making and more. It is a good opportunity to learn about various art forms of India and also to learn a true art form directly from the masters of art.

Timings and Tickets

Open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Entry is free.
For the two-week workshops, Rs. 50 is charged.

Contact Details

Southern Region Centre
Wellington House, Irwin Road,
Laskar Mohalla
Mandi Mohalla
Mysore
Karnataka-570001
Phone number: 0821 244 8213