From Kabul to Wayanad: How I Found ...
October 7, 2025
Introduction: A Journey Across Worlds
In January 1997, I left the snowy mountains of Kabul and the grey streets of Saint Petersburg to begin a new chapter in India. I had always been fascinated by the country — its vibrant culture, its timeless traditions, and above all, its movies. Bollywood had already won my heart long before I ever set foot in India. So it was only fitting that on my very first night in Delhi, my future wife Dhanya and I went to watch Raja Hindustani. I still remember the magic of hearing the original voices, after years of watching dubbed versions back in Russia, where much of the soul of the film was lost.
A 36-hour train ride later, I arrived in Kozhikode and then Wayanad, Kerala. What I saw was unlike anything I had known before. The rocky, snow-covered mountains of Kabul and the grey winters of Russia stood in stark contrast to the lush, evergreen hills of Kerala. The rolling tea and coffee plantations, the swaying palms, the mist rising from the valleys — it felt like paradise.
Falling in Love With Coffee All Over Again
I had always called myself a coffee lover, though my love was mostly for instant coffee. That illusion shattered on my very first morning in Wayanad. Dhanya offered me freshly brewed coffee from her family’s plantation, and the aroma alone was enough to change me forever. The richness, the flavor, the earthy tones — it was unlike anything I had ever tasted. From that moment on, I graduated from being a coffee lover to a true coffee addict.
That first cup also planted the seed for one of Pranavam’s defining experiences: connecting guests directly with the land by serving plantation-fresh coffee grown in the very soil that surrounds us.
Coffee Plantation Walk
Exploring Wayanad’s Natural Wonders
With time before our wedding, I set out to explore Wayanad. Each place I visited left an indelible mark on me:
- Banasura Sagar Dam – Just a half-hour’s drive from Pranavam, this is India’s largest earthen dam and the second largest in Asia. As someone who has loved photography since my school days, I was mesmerized. The vast expanse of water, dotted with emerald islands, framed by rainforest-clad mountains and mist-laden skies — it was like watching nature compose its own painting. I finished an entire roll of negatives here, something that usually lasted me the whole day.
- Edakkal Caves – An hour away, I found myself standing before carvings that date back thousands of years. These caves are not just a marvel of nature but a reminder of Wayanad’s deep historical roots. It struck me then: Wayanad is not only breathtakingly beautiful, it is also a keeper of human history.
- Wildlife Safari – A short drive from our land took me into the heart of the forest. Until then, I had only seen animals in zoos. Now, I watched wild elephants move gracefully through the jungle, bison grazing in the grasslands, deer bounding through the trees, and peacocks displaying their vibrant feathers. It was a reminder that in Wayanad, nature still reigns supreme.
Wayanad Famous Destinations
Experiencing Kerala’s Culture First-Hand
If I called my wedding a cultural shock, it would be an understatement. Hundreds of people — relatives, neighbors, and local villagers — came together to celebrate. The women in colorful saris, the men in traditional Kerala attire, the rhythms of temple music filling the air, and the sheer warmth of the people made me realize I was entering not just a marriage but a whole new world.
And then came the Sadya. Served on a banana leaf, this traditional Kerala feast includes dozens of dishes, each with unique flavors, most made from fresh, organic vegetables. I had never seen so many items on one plate — or leaf — in my life. That experience stayed with me, and today at Pranavam, we recreate Sadya for larger groups of guests who want to taste Kerala’s cultural and culinary richness.
Building Pranavam: Designed Around Views
When I later left my job with the United Nations to return to Wayanad and build a resort, the vision was clear. I remembered how I had once wondered why people spent time indoors when there were such breathtaking views outside. I realized it was because locals had grown up with this beauty; it had become ordinary to them. But to me, it was extraordinary.
So at Pranavam, everything — the rooms, the lobby, the restaurant, the swimming pool — has been designed to highlight the surrounding rainforest and tea plantations. Our Mountain View Cottages, with their 180-degree glass windows, allow guests to wake up with the forest looking back at them. The architecture was never just about comfort; it was about framing nature itself.
Mountain View Cottages
Responsible Tourism: Giving Back to the Community
There was, however, another side to the story. As I settled into life in Wayanad, I noticed many young people in the surrounding villages with limited opportunities. Unless they got into top government colleges or could afford private universities, their prospects were slim.
When we built Pranavam, I made it a priority to help these local youth. Many of our staff came to us with no formal education in hospitality, and we trained them in-house. Today, they have the skills to work not only with us but anywhere in the industry.
We also work to empower women, though this has been a challenge in rural areas. Still, it remains one of our strongest commitments. Wherever possible, we buy products from local suppliers and use local vendors, even when their standards or expertise are still developing. For us, responsible tourism is not just a slogan — it is a way to ensure that our growth benefits the entire community.
Why Wayanad Belongs on Every Traveller’s List
Looking back, what began as a personal journey — from Kabul to Saint Petersburg to Kerala — has become the foundation of Pranavam Resort. Wayanad is not just a destination. It is an experience of nature, culture, history, and humanity all woven together.
Here, you can sip coffee grown just steps from your room, trek through caves with carvings older than recorded history, witness elephants in their natural habitat, and share a traditional Sadya meal on a banana leaf. It is a place where the forest and the mountains are not just scenery, but companions to your journey.
As someone who has lived and worked here for a very long time, I can say with certainty: Wayanad is not just a place to visit — it is a place to belong. And at Pranavam, we welcome you to experience it as I first did: with wonder, gratitude, and open arms.
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