imported>BrownHairedGirl: removed Category:2003 establishments in India; added Category:2003 establishments in Kerala using HotCat

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removed Category:2003 establishments in India; added Category:2003 establishments in Kerala using HotCat

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
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'''Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum''' is a privately owned museum located at [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] that displays decorative art and artifacts, including a large private collection of Swarovski crystals and ivory.

[[Revi Karunakaran]] was the architect of the modernized [[coir]] industry of Kerala. After Revi's death in 2003, his wife Betty Karan built this museum in his memory. The objects displayed at this museum were collected by his family over three generations and feature unique artistic pieces from across the world.

== The Museum ==
In 2003, Betty Karan built Revi Karuna Karan memorial museum at Alappuzha in memory of her husband.<ref name='rkk_museum_about_museum'>{{cite web|title=About us - RKK Museum|url=http://rkkmuseum.com/about-us|website=RKK Museum|accessdate=27 September 2017}}</ref> This is now a renowned, privately owned museum holding one of the largest private collections of [[Swarovski crystals]] in the world along with [[porcelain]], [[jade]], [[ivory]], Keralan artifacts, furniture, and [[Tanjore painting]]s.<ref name="lonely_planet_india"/><ref name="femina_top5_alleppey">{{Cite news|url=https://www.femina.in/life/travel/five-fun-things-to-do-in-alleppey-kerala-52219-5.html|title=Five things to do in Alleppey, Kerala|work=Femina India|first=Femina|last=Travel|date=2017-06-19|access-date=2018-02-25|language=en}}</ref><ref name="alappuzha_online_city_guide">{{Cite web|url=http://www.alappuzhaonline.in/city-guide/revi-karunakaran-museum-in-alappuzha|title=Revi Karunakaran Museum in Alappuzha, Revi Karuna Karan Museum|website=www.alappuzhaonline.in|access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref>

The family of Karunakarans have been avid collectors of fine art and artefacts since at least three generations.<ref name="cctv_2009">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20090307/103482.shtml|title=Love museum keeps romance alive|website=CCTV International (China Central Television)|date=2009-03-07|access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref> The collection was originally maintained strictly within their private domain. However, after Revi's demise, Betty decided to open the collection to the public, as a befitting tribute  to the memory of their most beloved husband and loving father. Lalichan Zachariah, an architect from Ernakulam, helped Betty design the museum. The museum was inaugurated on 22 November 2006 by the former governor of Meghalaya, Sri. [[M.M. Jacob]].<ref name='rkk_museum_about_museum'/>

Built over a period of about three years, the RKK museum is noted for its architectural characteristics such as the frontal Greco-Roman columns and occupies an area of 28,000 sq ft.<ref name="lonely_planet_india">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLU7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT2326|title=Lonely Planet India|last=Planet|first=Lonely|last2=Benanav|first2=Michael|last3=Blasi|first3=Abigail|last4=Brown|first4=Lindsay|last5=Elliott|first5=Mark|last6=Harding|first6=Paul|last7=Kaminski|first7=Anna|last8=Mahapatra|first8=Anirban|last9=Mayhew|first9=Bradley|date=2017-10-01|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=9781787011991|language=en}}</ref><ref name='rkk_museum_about_museum'/>
A unique feature of the museum is that visitors can see and experience the four major religions of India — [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Christianity]] — that are represented with equal prominence across the murals, ivory collection, Kerala room and other items on display.<ref name='rkk_museum_about_museum'/>
The 3rd phase of the museum was inaugurated on 22 November 2015 by Her Excellency [[Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga]], the fifth [[President of Sri Lanka]].<ref name="mathrubhumi_2009"/><ref name="deepika_2009">{{Cite news|url=http://www.deepika.com/News_Cat2_sub.aspx?catcode=cat2&newscode=381381|title=ചന്ദ്രിക കുമാരതുംഗെ ആലപ്പുഴയില്‍ (Chandrika Kumaratunga in Alappuzha)|work=Deepika|access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref><ref name='youtube_phase_3_opening'>{{cite web|title=RKK Museum 3rd Phase Inaguration|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tHR9PRSRd4|accessdate=27 September 2017}}</ref>
Most of the pieces displayed in the museum come with a certificate of authentication, personally certified by Betty.<ref name='thehindu_betty_interview'>{{cite web|title=...Things of BEAUTY|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/things-of-beauty/article4058299.ece|website=The Hindu, Metro Plus|accessdate=27 September 2017}}</ref>

Many, including former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, have figuratively compared this museum to the [[Taj Mahal]], as both were built in the same spirit as a symbol and memorial of spousal love.<ref name="mathrubhumi_2009">{{Cite news|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/alappuzha/malayalam-news/alappuzha-1.688947|title=കാഴ്ചയുടെ അത്ഭുത ലോകം തുറന്ന് ശ്രീലങ്കന്‍ മുന്‍ പ്രസിഡന്റ്‌ (Former Sri Lankan President opens an amazing world to behold)|work=Mathrubhumi|access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref><ref name="naradanews">{{Cite news|url=http://ml.naradanews.com/2016/10/betty-karan-rkk-museum-alleppey/|title=ആലപ്പുഴയിലെ താജ് മഹല്‍! (The Taj Mahal of Alappuzha!)|first=Sheeja|last=Anil|date=2016-10-24|access-date=2018-02-25}}</ref><ref name="cctv_2009"/>

== See also ==
* [[List of museums in India]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://rkkmuseum.com/ Official Website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhsgrEusBC4 (YouTube) നാട്ടിലൂടെ (Nattiloode) - Episode 46], a short documentary in Malayalam telecast by [[Doordarshan]], India's national TV
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOe3LnSOHX4 (YouTube) "Museum of love keeps romance alive beyond the grave"], [[Associated Press|Associated Press Archives]]

[[Category:Museums in Kerala]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Alappuzha]]
[[Category:Decorative arts museums in India]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2003]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Kerala]]

Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum - Revision history

imported>BrownHairedGirl: removed Category:2003 establishments in India; added Category:2003 establishments in Kerala using HotCat