Kerala Tourism is preparing to launch a landmark event in India, moving past typical literary gatherings and heading straight into the deep experience of travel. Dubbed ‘Yaanam 2025: Travel, Tales and Trails,’ this three-day affair, scheduled for October 17 to 19, will take place at the picturesque Ranga Kala Kendram on Varkala Cliff.
Conceived from the creative mind of author Sabin Iqbal, Yaanam is set to be India’s very first travel literary festival, promising to change how we think about stories and the journeys that inspire them.
The whole festival is being shaped by people who truly understand the travel life. If you want to get involved in an experience that feels deeply real and rooted in genuine travel endeavours, this is for you.
Importance of Yaanam 2025
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The officials in Kerala have noted a sharp increase in tourists, both from home and abroad, ever since travel restrictions were lifted. By choosing to hold Yaanam in Varkala, the state is making a clear effort to lift the town’s profile and secure its future growth. The fact that they have set aside a serious ₹25 crores shows this isn’t just a quick idea; it’s a long-term business plan focused on better roads, strong branding, and supporting travel that respects the environment. The curators believe Yaanam’s format will be what sets it apart.
The festival’s unique feel is thanks to the vision of its leaders, Sabin Iqbal and Nirmala Govindarajan. Because both come from backgrounds rich in travel writing, their guidance means Yaanam 2025 will be about deeply experiencing the destination, not just watching a show.
Visitors should look forward to activities that naturally mix stories with movement, photography, and mindful practices. The simple goal is to go beyond the usual panel talks and let the local landscape, the hidden paths, and the voices of the people around you become woven right into the story. This is what truly separates Yaanam from most traditional literary festivals.
The Traveller’s Lineup: Voices You Know
Yaanam 2025 is attracting an exciting and varied list of people, confirming its broad focus that spans literature, music, journalism, and personal travel. The list of people who will be at Yaanam 2025 is phenomenal, with famous personalities from literature, travel, culinary, and other backgrounds coming together to make this event a huge success. Here is a list of personalities you will be seeing at Yaanam 2025:
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Title | Yaanam 2025: Travel, Tales and Trails |
| Organised By | Kerala Tourism |
| Concept & Leadership | Conceived by author Sabin Iqbal with co-curator Nirmala Govindarajan |
| Dates | October 17 – 19, 2025 |
| Venue | Ranga Kala Kendram, Varkala Cliff, Kerala |
| Festival Focus | India’s first Travel Literary Festival blending storytelling, culture, and experiential journeys |
| Government Investment | ₹25 crores for infrastructure, branding, and sustainable tourism development |
| Key Themes | Travel writing, photography, mindfulness, local narratives, and cultural storytelling |
| Featured Guests | Shehan Karunatilaka, Prakash Sontakke, Pallavi Aiyar, Andrew Fidel Fernando, Nathalie Handal, Tenzin Tsundue, Sudeep Chakravarti, Asha Thadani, Priya Ganapathy, Piya Bahadur, Anurag Mallick, Karen Anand, Kritika Goel |
| Unique Element | Integrates local landscape and storytelling to make the destination part of the narrative |
A New Category for Travel
Yaanam 2025 is more than a three-day festival; it’s a focused effort by Kerala to reimagine how travel stories are told, created, and personally felt. By tightly weaving narrative into place and letting local scenes act as the canvas for stories, Yaanam has the potential to become a key annual event for Indian culture and travel.
If the festival’s execution lives up to its strong planning, Yaanam could define a whole new kind of travel literary festival, one where the destination itself is the co-author. For Varkala, this could bring lasting fame, not just as a beautiful spot, but as a genuine, internationally recognised place for storytelling. The journey is just beginning.
