MELODY WORLD WAX MUSEUM MYSORE

ABOUT LOCATION

Positioned in the picturesque garden below the Chamundi Hills, Melody World Wax Museum is only 5 km from Mysore. This 90-year-old heritage building exhibits over 100 life-sized statues and 300 musical instruments.

HISTORY

The Melody Wax Museum is the brainchild of Mr Shreeji Bhaskaran, a Bangalore -based IT professional. He conceptualized and established the museum in October 2010. He and his spouse, Reena, manage the maintenance of the museum using advanced computer technology. This incredible work of wax pays homage to musicians from all over the World. Bhaskaran’s other creations include Wax World in Ooty and Goa.

THINGS TO KNOW

EXHIBITS AT THE WAX MUSEUM

The Melody World Wax Museum comprises 19 galleries, each presenting a distinct art and music experience. The museum features musical instruments from all over the World. These range from traditional to modern, as well as indigenous musical instruments depicting tribal music.

Additionally, the museum exhibits life-sized wax statues displaying various Indian and international musicians, including Lata Mangeshkar, AR Rahman, Michael Jackson, and Beyonce, bringing their music and personas to life in a stunning display.

Various stages and bands representing genres such as Indian classical music (Hindustani and Carnatic), Punjabi Bhangra, Chinese, Hip Hop, and Jazz are also set up. The museum also offers a variety of interactive exhibits, including a virtual reality simulation that allows visitors to perform with their favorite musicians.

The museum’s exhibits also address socially relevant topics, such as the wealth disparity between different segments of society. One of the museum’s highlights is a statue of the former Mysore Maharaja, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, which offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage.

CRAFTING STATUES

The museum showcases wax figures that have been acquired from both domestic and foreign sources. Crafting these figures involves an intricate procedure incorporating digital imaging, conventional and customary molding, and sculpting techniques. The process usually lasts 2-4 months and necessitates using roughly 50 kg or more of wax per statue. After the sculpting, the figures are outfitted with specially crafted garments and jewelry. Finally, to achieve a lifelike appearance, the figures undergo cosmetic coloring. Extra elements such as hair, teeth, and eyes are custom-made to give the statues a more realistic look.

NEARBY LOCATIONS

• Sea Shell Museum (850 m): The museum houses World’s largest sea shell sculpture and various other sea shell artifacts.
• Mysore Sand Museum (1 km): The first sand sculpture museum in India has around 150 sand sculptures on display. 
• Mysore Zoo (2.3 km): One of the largest zoos, covering 160 acres and housing some of the rarest and endangered species on the planet. 
• Karanji Lake (2.5 km): A beautiful bird sanctuary with the country’s largest aviary.
• Mysore Palace (5 km): A magnificent palace of the Wadiyar dynasty, built in an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.