Kerala is set to host the inaugural edition of ‘Yaanam’—India’s first Travel Literature Festival—from October 17 to 19 at Varkala, bringing together an eclectic mix of global writers, artists, filmmakers, influencers and culinary experts to celebrate the theme “Celebrating Words and Wanderlust.”
Hosted by Kerala Tourism, the festival will feature an impressive line-up of 33 speakers from across the world, including Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka, Grammy Awardee Prakash Sontakke, poet Nathalie Handal, and author Pallavi Aiyar, alongside acclaimed Indian and international voices in travel, culture and storytelling.
Announcing the event, Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas said Yaanam will evolve into a signature annual event of Kerala Tourism.
“Yaanam is not only a travel literary festival but also a meeting point of creative minds united by their love for travel and discovery. It will also spotlight Varkala’s immense tourism potential before the world,” he noted.
The three-day festival, curated by author Sabin Iqbal and programmed by Nirmala Govindarajan, will unfold at Ranga Kala Kendram, perched on the Varkala Cliff — a locale symbolic of Kerala’s coastal charm and cultural vibrancy.
Among the notable speakers are Sri Lankan author Andrew Fidel Fernando, Tibetan poet-activist Tenzin Tsundue, journalist Sudeep Chakravarti, photographer Asha Thadani, Chef Sanza Sandile of Johannesburg’s Yeoville Dinner Club fame, and adventure rider Piya Bahadur, known for her 17,000-km all-women biking expedition chronicled in Road to Mekong.
The event will also host young voices like Afeedha Sherin, Kerala’s 22-year-old solo traveller who swam alongside 12 whales in Mauritius, and Sumaa Tekur, author of The Monks Who Laughed When the Bumblebee Stung Me, chronicling solo journeys across 18 countries.
Adding literary depth and cultural variety, authors Ullekh N P, Binoo K John, Faizal Khan, Karen Anand, and vlogger Kritika Goel will join interactive sessions, workshops, and curated trails exploring Varkala’s vibrant local experiences.
With its blend of storytelling, travel, and cross-cultural dialogue, Yaanam 2025 promises to position Kerala as a global hub for creative tourism, reaffirming the state’s leadership in innovation-driven travel experiences.
