The museum and research centres
(a) Tribal Museum at Koraput (Orissa) The establishment of a Tribal Museum at Koraput (Orissa) is mainly for the preservation of Cultural heritage of the tribal communities of the ancient Dandakaranya i.e., the present of Koraput region in particular which as gradually fading away in the age of modernisation. An ethenic Museum today plays a vital role and is an integral part of a society to serve both the uneducated and academicians alike. It is a happy coincidence that this Museum is located in an old antique building constructed by the Britishers in the last part of 19th century. The Museum is maintained by a small band of dedicated volunteers who serve whole-heartedly.
An additional feature is the nearby location of COATS (Council of Analytical Tribal Studies), a research centre on tribal studies. The libraries of both the TRIBAL MUSEUM and COATS provide the scholars with a wide range of reference facilities on various facets of tribal culture and other study materials. The museum was formally inagurated on January 26, 1992. Prior to that the antique building of the 19th century was in a dilapidated condition. A band of dedicated volunteers and members of Sri Jagannath Mandir came forward with money, materials and man-power and took up the renovation work and restored. The present arrangements of display of the exhibits are purely adhoc. It has not been possible to properly display the Collected exhibits of all the different sections for want of accomodation, staff and fund. The expansion of the building for extra accommodation is in progress.
A Museum has various interlinked duties to perform such as collection, documentation, conservation, display and dissemination of knowledge. The role of a museums is basically educational and such an institution has come up to be recognised in proper perspective in recent times. To preserve the cultural heritage of the tribals, promote their arts, sculptures, music, dance and other socio-economic aspects of tribal life. The following exhibits have been collected and housed in the Museum. (a) Costumes (b) Ornaments (c) Agricultural implements (d) Weapons of War and Chase (e) Fishing Appliances (f) Musical instruments (g) Handicrafts (h) Earthen and other type of household articles and tools. (i) Wood Carving (j) Folk Painting (k) Terracotta articles (l) Masks (m) Forest Species and products (n) Mining and Geology (o) Natural History Gallery (p) Rare documents, palmleaf, manuscripts etc. (q) Koraput’s contribution to mankind : Rice (r) A Relief map of 75’ x 85’ feet size, projecting the topography including rivers, dams, reservoirs, forests, mines important villages, towns, roads and railway lines, historical places etc. of the district. (s) A small zoo to educate the children and attract the visitors.
(b) Cultural and Research Centre (Gyan Mandir): This centre undertakes research in oriental
cultures with special reference to Jaannath Cult and other research projects for the upliftment of the socio-economic aspects of the people of this region. It is engaged in the preservation of rare manuscripts books and publish research papers. A centre for training priests (purohits) in Karmakanda and to undertake such other activities as may be necessary for the social, economy and cultural advancement of the Koraput Region and its backward population. New premises to house the centre are under construction.
(c) COATS :It is a Prestigious Research Institution which is the first of its kind established to undertake extensive studies on tribals and their problems. The aims and objects of the centre includes watching students for M.Phil Degree in Tribal Studies and Orientation training courses on different matters having a bearing on tribal culture and Panchayat Raj as well as Tribal Development.