About

Janapada Loka is a museum of folk art of Karnataka. it's a Beautiful 15-acre campus, where Karnataka’s rural milieus have been recreated to keep the pulse of the past alive. It is situated in Ramanagara, Ramanagara district in the Indian state of Karnataka, on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, 53 KM to the south of Bangalore. It also tries to highlight the rural life in Karnataka. janapada Loka translates into English as a ‘Folkcosmos’. Bangalore University has recognized it as a research center related to folk art. Henceforth, Janapada Loka conducts classes and issues Janapada Diploma and Janapada Certificate courses. It also conducts Folk related development camp, folk research workshop, and seminars. A well-equipped library gives huge choice to read from. Annual Festivals like Lokothsava in February – March, Kite Festival in July, Dassera Festival in October are organized which attracts people from all over the world. Janapada Loka has been founded by Nage Gowda, a prominent Kannada folklorist and author. In 1986 he started work on this project and it was opened to the public in 1994. Janapada Loka is divided into separate wings — Folk art museum, Loka Mahal, Chitra Kuteera, Doddamane, Shilamala, Arghyamala etc. The museum has a collection of 5,000 folk artifacts.

1. Loka Sarovara: It is an artificial lake created with sand beaches and casuarina plants at the corners. One can get nice pictures around here. Unfortunately, as of now, the peddle boats are not in use.
2. Video theatre: Located behind the open-air theatre, the video theatre offers a big screen and seat to view videos/documentaries on folk art.
3. Saraswathi Mandira: Located near to Loka Sarovar (lake), Saraswathi Mandir is a two-storied building. It houses life-size dolls, carved pillars etc collected from various parts of Karnataka. Classes are conducted here for students.
4. Loka Mahal: Loka Mahal is a two-storied museum featuring Yakshagana artists, Coorgi couples, various old weapons, utensils, local musical instruments, masks etc. This place has also a large collection of artifacts from Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) and Udupi.
5. Lokamatha Mandira: This is another museum little away from the entrance. It features map of crop cultivation in Karnataka. It also puts on display storage bins, utensils used in cooking etc. It also houses a large statue of the founder H.L. Nage Gowda.
6. Mahadwara: The door at the main entrance is an excellent display of a combination of local artifacts bearing horns, trumpets, and Harige etc.
7. Chitra Kuteera: Photographs covering different aspects of folklife are displayed here. There are also photographs of the various tribes of Karnataka. Their customs, cultures, dances, and costumes are captured in pictures. It also contains picture essay of Sri H.L.Nage Gowda’s literary achievements and his work in building Janapada Loka.
8. Shilpamala: space here is occupied by stone statues.
9. Open air theatre: Around 1000 people can seat in this Greek-style theater.
10. Doddamane: Built in traditional Karnataka rural style architecture, this community house is the hub for workshops, seminars, and also provided lodging facility to artists.

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