India has opened its first immersive language museum, the Museum of Word (Shabdalok), at the historic National Library in Kolkata’s Belvedere Estate, offering visitors an interactive journey through the country’s rich linguistic heritage.
Developed by the National Library under the Union Ministry of Culture, the museum combines digital technology, sound, touch, and immersive exhibits to present the evolution of language in an engaging and educational format.
Unlike traditional museums that rely mainly on display panels, the Museum of Word allows visitors to experience language through:
- Interactive digital displays
- Touch-enabled exhibits
- Motion-sensor technology
- Holograms
- Language-based games and puzzles
- Audio experiences
The museum encourages visitors to hear, touch, interact with, and explore the history of language in a hands-on environment.
Also known as Shabdalok, the museum celebrates India’s 22 official languages.
Spread across 12 rooms and nine galleries, it traces the journey of communication from:
- Oral traditions
- Ancient manuscripts
- Inscriptions
- Printed books
- Modern digital communication
The galleries also highlight the development of scripts, grammar, literature, and the role of language in shaping India’s civilisation and culture.
One of the museum’s key attractions is its sound platforms, where visitors can stand on marked footprints to listen to iconic moments from India’s literary and historical heritage.
Featured audio experiences include:
- Excerpts from Kalidasa’s Abhigyan Shakuntalam as featured in Bharat Ek Khoj
- Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech
Visitors can also solve language puzzles, discover new vocabulary, and explore the evolution of communication through immersive exhibits.
The Museum of Word was inaugurated on July 19 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
During the inauguration, Shah said the museum would help future generations understand India’s linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
He noted that the museum presents the evolution of language—from Omkar, grammar, Shrutis, Smritis, manuscripts, inscriptions, and the printing press to today’s digital age.
According to Shah, each gallery has been scientifically designed to explain the development of language through myths, lullabies, and sensory experiences.
The Museum of Word is open:
- Tuesday to Sunday
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
It remains closed on Mondays.
Entry Fee
- Free entry until August 15, 2026
- ₹75 per person after August 15
- School students will continue to enjoy free entry under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) guidelines.
The museum is housed inside the National Library at Belvedere Estate, Alipore, Kolkata.
Visitors can access the museum by climbing the building’s iconic Victorian-era staircase, with the ticket counter located near the entrance.
