Art Gallery

Art Gallery in Kozhikode (celebrated across southern India as the V.K. Krishna Menon Museum and Art Gallery, adjoining the historic Pazhassi Raja Archaeological Museum atop the scenic hillock of East Hill, world famous for housing an invaluable permanent collection of original oil paintings by legendary Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma and his brother Raja Raja Varma, personal memorabilia of statesman V.K. Krishna Menon, centuries old megalithic rock cut cave relics, and exquisite ancient bronzes), located at East Hill in Kozhikode in Kerala, stands as the Malabar coast's premier cultural repository.

Established in 1976 and managed by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala, this prestigious art institution is named in honor of illustrious Indian statesman, diplomat, and former Defense Minister V.K. Krishna Menon, whose personal library, diplomatic honors, and official state gifts are preserved alongside rare fine art galleries.

It's the home of the exclusive Raja Ravi Varma Gallery displaying celebrated portraits and mythological oil canvases capturing classical Indian aesthetics with European realism, the fine art wing exhibiting watercolors, pencil sketches, and woodcuts by renowned 19th and 20th century Kerala painters, the specialized V.K. Krishna Menon commemorative pavilion exhibiting ivory mementos, silver keys, and national awards presented by world leaders, the adjoining Pazhassi Raja Museum showcasing Megalithic burial urns (Kudakkallu and Topikkallu), hero stones, ancient bronze idols of Shiva and Sastha, temple woodcraft friezes, and an intensely inspiring, scholarly artistic ambiance where classical canvas art and Malabar historical heritage come alive.

It represents a rich Indian fine arts legacy, royal Travancore Malabar artistic traditions, and state museum curation where Ravi Varma oil canvases, diplomatic archives, megalithic relics, and Kozhikode cultural history unite in Art Gallery Kozhikode.

Located on Art Gallery Road atop East Hill, it sits just 5 km north of Kozhikode Railway Station (CLT), 4 km from Kozhikode Beach, 28 km from Calicut International Airport in Karipur (CCJ), and 15 km from Beypore Port, easily accessible by auto rickshaw, city bus, or tourist taxi from Mananchira Square.

Raja Ravi Varma Masterpieces & 19th Century Fine Art

The gallery houses genuine oil masterworks by Raja Ravi Varma, including lifelike portraits of royal aristocrats, mythological scenes from the epics, and rural Kerala life studies.

Art enthusiasts can closely examine the delicate brushwork, luminous skin tones, and rich silk drapery textures that defined the Golden Age of modern Indian painting.

Truth is, viewing original Ravi Varma canvases up close in the quiet East Hill gallery rooms is deeply rewarding.

Krishna Menon Memorabilia & Pazhassi Raja Museum

V.K. Krishna Menon Wing: Showcases personal diaries, walking sticks, rare photographs with Jawaharlal Nehru, and international peace medals.

Pazhassi Raja Museum: The sister archaeological wing displays 2,500 year-old rock cut cave artifacts, iron weapons, and antique coins of the Zamorin dynasty.

Kozhikode Cultural & Coastal Circuit

City Heritage Walk: Sits just 4 km from Mananchira Square & Crown Theatre, 4 km from historic Kozhikode Beach, and 6 km from Tali Shiva Temple.

District Day Tour: Connects smoothly with Beypore Port & Uru Shipbuilding Yard (15 km), Kappad Beach (16 km), and Kakkayam Dam (45 km).

After admiring the oil paintings at Art Gallery East Hill, stroll along Kozhikode Beach, explore Mananchira Square, or tour Kozhikode.