Bengaluru: The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) has commissioned private firm Tagbin to develop a large-scale neuroscience-led immersive museum in the city, valued at approximately Rs 35 crore.The ‘Museum of Brain and Mind’ is being built around a deceptively simple idea: “Know why you are the way you are.” It aims to bridge the gap between the brain — the physical organ — and the mind, the cognitive and emotional dimension that governs how people think, feel, and behave. The museum, expected to be completed in a couple of months, will walk visitors through brain anatomy, cognitive processes such as memory and decision-making, human evolution, and the full spectrum of neurological and psychiatric disorders, along with their treatments.Stating that this would be “India’s first large-scale neuroscience-led immersive museum,” the firm said the experience is designed as a continuous, integrated journey rather than a collection of standalone exhibits. Visitors will move through zones covering the brain’s structure and states, life cycle development from prenatal to old age, emotional and cognitive processes, therapeutic approaches including music and colour therapy, and the relationship between the brain, society, and technology.“More than 50 interactive installations will be deployed, combining sensor-based interfaces, audio-visual storytelling, immersive simulations, gaming, and visual art. Our approach involves translating Nimhans’ deep clinical and research expertise into experiences that are accessible to the general audience,” Tagbin CEO Saurav Bhaik told TOI.Complex neurological and psychiatric science will be rendered through interactive exhibits and narrative-led spaces designed to be emotionally engaging, not merely informative. According to Tagbin, the intended effects are fourfold: educating visitors on brain science, dismantling myths and stigma around mental health, encouraging preventive awareness of disorders, and building empathy through immersive depictions of real conditions and therapies.“The museum will also house what is described as the largest collection of preserved brains, lending it significant scientific and research value alongside its public-facing role. It draws on inputs from neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitation medicine, and traditional knowledge systems, making it one of the most interdisciplinary museum projects undertaken in India,” the firm said.The Nimhans project is part of a broader portfolio of institutional and public-space projects Tagbin has executed across the country. The firm launched an aerospace experience initiative for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru in April 2026, and has previously worked on the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi and smart tourism platforms for Ladakh, among others. “Across more than 100 projects, we’ve recorded a cumulative project value exceeding Rs 500 crore and engaged more than 10 million visitors annually across physical and digital platforms,” the firm added.
