Dr. Venu Vasudevan

A doctor by training, Dr Venu Vasudevan is a distinguished IAS officer (1990 batch) with extensive experience in the ministries of art, culture, and tourism in Kerala and the Central Government. As Director and later Tourism Secretary for Kerala, Dr. Vasudevan was the visionary behind many transformative initiatives. He is the founder of the Kerala Travel Mart, the country's biggest international travel fair. During his tenure as Director General of the National Museum, Delhi, he spearheaded a major organisational overhaul, including the reopening of galleries and the refashioning of spaces.

After retiring as the Chief Secretary for the Government of Kerala, Dr Vasudevan was appointed as the chairperson of Kochi Biennale Foundation and, more recently, as the Director and Curator of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) 2026.

A keen trekker and an active thespian, his visitor-first approach has ensured the remarkable success of his many projects.