The word museum originated from the Greek word “Mouseion”, meaning a temple dedicated to the Muses, the goddesses of art, literature, and knowledge. These ancient temples were not just places of worship but spaces of learning and inspiration. According to historical records, the earliest known museum was established around 530 BCE in Mesopotamia by Princess Ennigaldi, daughter of the Neo-Babylonian king Nabonidus. Remarkably, it housed labeled artifacts, indicating not only a desire to collect but also to educate.
In Renaissance-era Europe, the elite developed a fascination for assembling “Wunderkammern” meaning cabinets of wonder. These private troves brimmed with unusual and precious items: glittering minerals, ancient fossils, intricate artworks and early scientific tools. Reserved for the wealthy and well-connected, these collections offered a glimpse into the mysteries of the natural and man-made world, though few ever got to see them. The idea of museums as public institutions emerged in the 18th century, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of knowledge for all. A pivotal moment came in 1759, with the establishment of the “British Museum” in London, marking the beginning of museums as democratic, educational spaces. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, museums had become widespread across the world, often expanding alongside global exploration and empire-building. These institutions showcased objects from many cultures, serving as symbols of knowledge, prestige, and curiosity, though some later questioned the limited perspectives they presented. In the late 20th century, museums began a crucial transformation. The focus shifted from mere preservation to engagement and inclusion. Dialogue around repatriation, representation of marginalized cultures, and community participation gained momentum. Today, in the 21st century, museums have transformed into dynamic spaces. No longer just repositories of the past, they have become responders to the present and designers of the future. As we reflect on the 2025 theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” it becomes evident that these institutions are evolving into platforms for social justice, sustainability, education, and empathy. In an era shaped by rapid change; be it climate crises, digital revolutions, or shifting social values, museums stand at a vital crossroads, bridging past wisdom with future possibility. World Museum Day 2025 encourages us to rethink how museums can stay not only relevant but essential to the fabric of our communities. They are no longer passive keepers of artifacts, but active listeners, learners, and leaders. In today’s society, where voices once unheard seek space, museums must adapt to resonate with marginalized communities, underrepresented histories, and emerging generations. Whether through multilingual exhibits, community-curated stories, or interactive digital experiences, the museum of the future is envisioned as a mirror that reflects and uplifts the people it serves.
Aligned with this theme, I have chosen the Kalabhoomi Craft Museum, Bhubaneswar as the focus of this year’s World Museum Day reflection. Inaugurated on 22nd March 2018 by the then Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Kalabhoomi stands as a vibrant testament to the state’s rich craft heritage. Spread across 12.68 acres, the museum offers a unique experience through its thoughtfully designed eight galleries, an open-air amphitheater, a workshop space, and a souvenir shop. Unlike conventional museums, Kalabhoomi creates an immersive environment that bridges tradition with modernity, making it a fitting symbol of what museums can become in our rapidly changing world.
The museum is divided into two blocks: a display area featuring galleries of handicrafts and handlooms from around the state, and a live section equipped with an open-air theatre and workshop zones. It is constructed using local raw materials, such as laterite stone, reminiscent of the oldest monuments in the state. Kala Bhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum showcases a diverse collection of artifacts representing the traditional crafts and handlooms of Odisha. The major attractions are:
Handicrafts Section:
- Terracotta: A variety of pottery items, from everyday utensils to decorative figurines and panels, showcasing the earthy tones and traditional designs of Odisha’s terracotta art.
Traditional Paintings:
- Pattachitra: Intricate cloth paintings depicting mythological stories, epic narratives, and religious themes, characterized by vibrant colors and distinctive line work.
- Palm Leaf Engravings (Talapatra Chitra): Delicate etchings on dried palm leaves, illustrating stories, religious texts, and traditional motifs.
- Tribal Paintings: Art forms from various tribal communities in Odisha, such as Saura paintings, reflecting their unique cultural beliefs and artistic expressions.
- Stone and Wood Carving: Exquisite sculptures and carvings in stone (including soft sandstone and hard granite) and wood, featuring religious deities, mythical creatures, and intricate decorative patterns, often inspired by temple architecture.
Metal Crafts:
- Dhokra (Bell Metal Casting): Unique lost-wax casting technique used by tribal communities to create figures of deities, animals, and utilitarian objects.
- Brass and Bell Metal Work: A range of handcrafted items like utensils, lamps, and decorative pieces with fine engravings.
- Silver Filigree (Tarakasi): Delicate and intricate silverwork, mainly from Cuttack, featuring ornamental items like jewelry, as well as decorative pieces.
Natural Crafts: Items made from natural materials such as:
- Golden Grass Crafts: Beautiful and durable products like baskets, mats, and decorative items woven from golden grass.
- Cane and Bamboo Work: Functional and decorative items made using cane and bamboo, showcasing the skills of local artisans.
- Coir Craft: Products made from coconut fibers.
- Horn Work: Items crafted from animal horns, such as combs and decorative pieces.
- Lacquer Work: Colorful and durable items, mainly wooden toys and utensils, finished with lacquer.
- Paper Mache: Decorative items made from waste paper and natural fibers.
- Sabai Grass Craft: Products woven from sabai grass.
Tribal Crafts: A diverse range of artifacts representing the unique artistic traditions of different tribal communities in Odisha, including jewelry, textiles, and ritualistic objects.
Handloom Section:
- Pre-Weaving Techniques and Materials: Displays showcasing the raw materials like cotton and silk, the processes involved in spinning and dyeing yarns, and the traditional tools and equipment used in weaving.
- Handloom Textiles: A rich collection of handwoven fabrics and sarees from various regions of Odisha, each with its distinct weaving techniques, patterns, and motifs. Examples include:
- Sambalpuri Ikat: Sarees and fabrics woven using the intricate Ikat tie-dyeing technique.
- Bomkai: Silk and cotton sarees known for their unique borders and pallus.
- Khandua: Silk sarees often featuring auspicious motifs and worn for special occasions.
- Kotpad: Organic dyed cotton textiles from the Koraput region.
- Berhampuri Pata: Silk sarees with distinctive temple borders.
- Habaspuri: Cotton textiles with unique woven patterns.
Appliqué Work (Pipili): Colorful textile art where pieces of fabric are cut and sewn onto a base cloth to create decorative patterns, often seen in canopies, umbrellas, and wall hangings.
Crafts of Shree Jagannath Culture: Artifacts related to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, including Pattachitra paintings depicting Jagannath and associated deities, as well as other ritualistic items.
Audio-visual room: There is an audio-visual room that offers visitors an engaging introduction to the state’s rich handicraft and handloom traditions. This space presents a short film that provides an overview of the museum’s collections and the cultural heritage they represent, setting the context before visitors begin exploring the galleries.
The Open-air Theater serves as a vibrant space for showcasing the living traditions of Odisha. It provides a platform for folk and classical dance performances, indigenous theater, and other cultural events, allowing visitors to directly experience the dynamic artistic heritage of the state. This space complements the museum’s galleries by bringing the crafts and traditions to life through engaging performances.
Souvenir Shop: The museum features a souvenir shop along the exit route, offering visitors a chance to purchase handcrafted items, traditional artworks, and paintings as mementos of their visit.
Eateries: At the entrance gate near the parking area, there’s a branch of “Bocca Cafe”, offering a cozy and welcoming seating arrangement. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for reading, writing, or simply unwinding. I spent some quiet moments there, sipping on a refreshing mojito, editing one of my articles while waiting for a friend. Within the premises, near the open-air theater, there’s also a charming restaurant called “Mo Dhaba”. Designed like a traditional straw-roofed mud house, it provides an authentic experience where visitors can savor traditional Odia cuisines in a rustic, village-like setting.
Garden and Green Zone: For me, one of the most captivating aspects of Kalabhoomi Craft Museum is its expansive open spaces filled with grass and greenery. The premises are home to a wide variety of indigenous fruit-bearing and flowering plants, adding to the museum’s natural charm. Its long, clean, and serene walking paths, shaded by lush trees on both sides, create an ideal setting for peaceful reflection amidst the bustle of the capital city. The beautifully landscaped garden area has also become a favorite spot for social media influencers and is particularly popular among Gen Z visitors, who often use it as a backdrop for making reels and capturing aesthetic moments. After exploring the museum’s galleries and enjoying a traditional lunch, visitors can unwind in this tranquil garden, soaking in its calm ambiance for hours.
Kalabhoomi Craft Museum, with its thoughtful integration of tradition, innovation, and community, perfectly mirrors the evolving identity of modern museums. It is not just a space to admire crafts but a living, breathing institution where heritage interacts with contemporary life. As we stand at a pivotal moment in history, when cultural institutions must respond to global uncertainties and local aspirations alike, Kalabhoomi offers a hopeful blueprint; rooted in the soil of Odisha, yet reaching toward a shared, sustainable future. This World Museum Day, let us recognize museums like Kalabhoomi not merely as guardians of the past, but as creators of inclusive, resilient, and imaginative futures.
- Location: Gandamunda, Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Monday: Closed
- Free parking lot.
- Entry Fee: Rs 10/- per person
- Photography allowed, Videography not allowed.
- Wheelchair accessible restroom, entrance, and parking.
