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Melody World Wax Museum, Mysore
Melody World Wax Museum is a small private museum in Siddhartha Layout, Mysore, less than 3 km from Mysore Palace. Instead of celebrities it shows life-size wax musicians in traditional dress, about 110 of them in nineteen rooms, playing real instruments from a collection the museum describes as the largest in India. It is ticketed, takes about half an hour, and works well with children.
One collector's obsession turned into a museum: Shreeji Bhaskaran left an IT career, filled a heritage bungalow with instruments and opened it to the public in 2010. Nineteen rooms stage about 110 life-size wax musicians holding more than 300 real instruments (Carnatic and Hindustani ensembles, a jazz line-up, rock, bhangra drums, tribal players), with Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar standing among them. It is small, frankly odd, and belongs to the same family of Mysore curiosities as the sand museum. Half an hour covers it, and children tend to move slower than that.
A wax museum built around music rather than celebrities: 110 figures, 300 real instruments
What to see
Melody World is one collector's obsession turned into a museum. Shreeji Bhaskaran left a career in IT, filled a heritage bungalow (the building is more than 100 years old) with instruments and opened it to the public in 2010.
Nineteen rooms stage scenes rather than portraits: a Carnatic ensemble and a Hindustani one, a jazz line-up, a rock band, bhangra drummers, tribal musicians, and Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, standing among them. The figures are dressed in the clothes of their regions, and the instruments in their hands are real. According to the museum, the collection now passes 2,000 instruments and keeps growing.
It is small and frankly odd, in the best sense: a cousin of Mysore's other curiosities, such as the sand sculpture museum. Do not expect Madame Tussauds polish; come for the instruments, many of which are hard to see anywhere else in one place.
Timings, tickets and how to get there
Entry is ticketed. The museum does not publish its hours or prices on its website, so call before you go: the museum lists +91 96636 31905 and +91 82176 24257, and waxworldindia@gmail.com.
The address is #1 Vihara Marga, Siddhartha Layout, Mysore 570011, less than 3 km from Mysore Palace. An auto from the palace area is the simplest way to get there.
Half an hour covers the museum for most adults. Children tend to move slower, stopping at every drum.
With children
Melody World is one of the easier museums in Mysore for families: short, indoors, and full of things children recognise (drums, guitars, costumes). Pair it with a morning at Mysore Zoo for a day that does not ask too much of anyone.
❓ FAQ
What is the entry fee for the Wax Museum in Mysore?
Entry is ticketed, but the museum does not publish prices online. Call ahead for the current rate.
What are Melody World Wax Museum's timings?
Hours are not published on the museum's website; check by phone before going.
How long does the Melody World visit take?
About 30 minutes for most adults; longer with children.
Where is Melody World Wax Museum?
At #1 Vihara Marga, Siddhartha Layout, Mysore 570011, less than 3 km from Mysore Palace.
Is Melody World worth visiting?
Yes, if you like music or are travelling with children. It is a curiosity rather than a major sight, but the instrument collection is unusual.