Vinod Sahadevan Nair

Vinod Sahadevan Nair is an Indian farmer from Parassala, Kerala.[1] Nair is known as Vazha Chettan, or Banana Brother, for his extensive collection of over 500 Indian banana varieties.[2][3][4]

Nair was raised in Kerala, and has been a farmer since age 12. He studied physics at university, and later worked as a web designer in Kochi, returning to his family village in Parassala to help farm on weekends.

In 2012, Nair attempted to acquire native banana suckers from an agricultural institute in Kerala, but was turned away. He subsequently became a collector of banana genetics from across India.[2] Following his mother's death in late 2015, he moved home to Parassala to care for his father and become a full time farmer.[2]

Nair's farm has become a living repository of Indian banana genetics.[5][6]

Nair and his farm were featured in the Banana episode of the 2024 TV series Omnivore.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (2022-07-26). "Vinod Sahadevan Nair has 400-plus varieties of banana on his farm in Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  2. 1 2 3 J, MEENAKSHI (2021-01-12). "At This Banana Farm, the Bunches Grow in 430 Shapes and Sizes". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  3. ↑ Fb; Tw; Linkdin; Whatsapp. "From physics to farming: The success story of India's 'Banana Man'". MyNation. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  4. ↑ Ravi, Rajesh (2025-03-25). "'Vazhagramam' digging in to secure country's banana heritage". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  5. ↑ "Karnataka: Unique varieties of paddy exhibited at Krishi Mela". The Times of India. 2022-12-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  6. ↑ Haridas, Aathira (2016-03-07). "Vinod's Private 'Banana Republic' is Thriving". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  7. ↑ Anderson, John (2024-07-16). "'Omnivore' Review: René Redzepi's Tasty Travels on Apple TV+". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
  8. ↑ Han, Angie (2024-07-18). "'Omnivore' Review: Noma's René Redzepi Hosts an Apple TV+ Food Docuseries That's as Thought-Provoking as It Is Hunger-Inducing". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
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