The digital museum project at Thiruvananthapuram’s Kanakakunnu Palace has stopped after five years

The highly anticipated Digital Museum project, which was unveiled at Kanakakunnu Palace five years ago, has come to a standstill since the information that will be shown there has not yet been finalized. The public has not been able to enter Kanakakunnu Palace, which is renowned for its vibrant cultural activities and rich architectural features, since the project’s inception.

 

The Tourism Department of the former LDF administration announced the Digital Museum project with much fanfare in March 2019, with the goal of using technology to provide tourists an immersive experience of the rich heritage and history of Travancore and Kerala.

Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd (ULCCS) was brought in by the department to carry out the Rs 8.65-crore project. The special committee established by the tourist department to choose the material to be shown at the museum has not yet produced the final content, even though the restoration project and the civil work have been finished.

Official sources state that the digital museum’s original proposal called for showcasing Travancore’s rich history as well as providing information on politics, culture, rituals, religion, art, ayurvedic traditions, and a variety of other topics.

According to the first detailed project report (DPR), Travancore’s history will be showcased in the museum. Nonetheless, the Keralan past was something the content curation committee want to include. “We are awaiting the content, as the civil work and palace conservation have been finished,” a ULCCS official said.

It has been discovered that the altered material might result in higher expenses. As a result, the authorities are considering starting phase II of the project to add additional historical information to the museum. A meeting of the committee that is in charge of selecting the material has been set for next week, according to sources.

“Only after receiving the finalized content will we be able to begin the digital production of the content.” It will need an additional three months, an authoritative source said. The seven zones that make up the Digital Museum should provide visitors with a diverse range of user experiences.

Every night, a music and light display will surpass the unique audio-visual experience. An administrative sanction of Rs 4.90 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively, has been granted by the government for the establishment of the museum and its operation and upkeep.

Touch-activated interactive screens that emphasize and spell out user expectations will be present in the museum’s welcoming area. According to a project official, there will be two multi-touch interactive tables that can accommodate eight users concurrently. These tables will include interactive photos and unique exhibits. An extensive look into Kerala’s past will be provided via the audio-video room.

“Museum exhibits are not yet complete.”

According to an official source, the digital creation of the material cannot begin until the finalized content for the museum exhibit has been received. It will need an additional three months.

The initiative was introduced in conjunction with the LDF government’s 1,000th day commemoration.

The government has approved an administrative budget of Rs. 1.05 crore for upkeep and management of the museum and Rs. 4.90 crore for its establishment.