The S.M.S.M. Institute (Sree Moolam Thirunal Shashtyabdipurthi Memorial Institute), which began functioning in 1917, is completing 109 years.

The land on which the institute presently functions in Thiruvananthapuram was handed over in 1925 to the Management Committee of the S.M.S.M. Institute by Bahadoor T. Raghavayya, on behalf of the Travancore Maharani (Her Highness). Initially established as an art museum and art gallery, this cultural centre has been preserved without losing its architectural and artistic beauty and stands today as one of the finest heritage buildings in the capital city.

Along with the S.M.S.M. Institute at Thiruvananthapuram, handicraft sales centers located at Delhi, Chennai and Coimbatore were taken over by the Government of Kerala, leading to the formation of the Kerala Handicrafts Development Corporation in 1969. In addition to the S.M.S.M. Institute, the corporation operates 14 sales outlets within and outside Kerala under the name “Kairali.” At present, the corporation has an annual turnover of approximately ₹15 crore.

The primary objectives of the institution are the protection, promotion, and preservation of Kerala’s handicrafts products.

Under a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of Kerala, renovation works were carried out in the institute during the previous year using the sanctioned funds, without affecting its architectural charm. Using the remaining funds, the Centenary Building of the S.M.S.M. Institute is being constructed.

The Centenary Building consists of two floors: the ground floor is intended to function as an exhibition and sales centre for handicraft products, while the upper floor is designed as an art museum.

The art museum will display the rare and valuable collections owned by the Handicrafts Development Corporation, including ivory sculptures and masterpiece handicrafts.

SMSM Institute mapped under the world tour map, So many domestic and international tourists are visiting emporium.