Seshadri engineers Wayanad's tryst with Kashmiri saffron production

A fragrant sliver of luxury, often reserved for grand feasts and age-old remedies, saffron has always been shrouded in mystique.

- Varsha Somaraj @T'Puram

The delicate red strands that bloom briefly in the chill of autumn have for centuries graced royal platters, been steeped in cups of kahwa, and even made their way into traditional skincare blends. Now, Kashmiri saffron is grown in Wayanad by Seshadri Sivakumar, a civil engineer-turned-grower.

On the terrace of his sister's house, Seshadri cultivates Kashmiri saffron with no experience in entrepreneurship or farming.