Opened in the year 2009 as a non-profit organization, the museum is truly a treasure trove that showcases the rich heritage that Kerala exudes through its numerous art and dance forms. Artifacts that bear the scent of bygone era like masks, sculptures, in wood, stone and bronze, costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, musical instruments, traditional jewelry, manuscripts of rare medicinal and astrological secrets, and Stone-Age utensils are all preserved in this museum with utmost care.

The building itself is a piece of wonder with its three floors following the architectural styles of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. The entrance door are pierced wooden windows, reminiscent of the intriguing Malabar style of architecture.The first floor with the Cochin architectural style is sagaciously named as kalithattu, which means a floor for play and it displays costumes of various traditional and ritual dance forms of Kerala like Theyyam, Kathakali, Ottanthullal, and Mohiniyattam. Kanjadalam; or lotus petal is the name given to the second floor, which is adorned with fascinating mural paintings and has a chiseled wooden ceiling made of 60 frames.