Island Tourism Festival 2025 Begins Across Andaman And Nicobar Islands At 13 Venues

Music, dance, and local traditions came together across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Saturday evening with the inauguration of the Island Tourism Festival (ITF) 2025, one of the region’s largest annual cultural events. The festival, which will run for five days, was inaugurated in Sri Vijaya Puram and is being held simultaneously at 13 venues across South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and the Nicobar group of islands, bringing performances and cultural programmes closer to island communities.

The festival was inaugurated by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray and is being organised by the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism in association with the Department of Art and Culture of the island administration.

Officials said the festival aims to bring together cultural performances, traditional music, dance, local arts, crafts and food, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to engage with the cultural life of the islands while also experiencing artistic traditions from other parts of the country.

Opening Ceremony And Island-wide Cultural Programmes

The opening ceremony featured a series of performances drawn from different cultural traditions. The evening began with a Ganesh Vandana, followed by a Nicobari dance that showcased the indigenous island culture. A Kathak performance by artistes from Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Lucknow and a Ras presentation by artistes from Youth Services and Cultural Activities, Gujarat, were also part of the inaugural programme.

Officials said the programme was curated to reflect both the cultural identity of the islands and their connections with the wider national arts landscape. The inclusion of performers from mainland institutions alongside local groups was intended to encourage cultural exchange and collaboration.

To ensure wider participation, festival programmes have been planned across 13 locations rather than being limited to a single central venue. This approach is designed to reach residents of remote and smaller islands who may not otherwise have access to large-scale cultural events.

In South Andaman, performances are being held at the ITF Ground on VIP Road, Marina Esplanade, Wandoor, Wimberlygunj, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and Hut Bay. The festival also extends to Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur in North and Middle Andaman. In the Nicobar group, programmes are scheduled in Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay.

A senior official from the Information, Publicity, and Tourism department said that each venue will host performances that highlight the living cultural traditions of the islands, while also presenting art forms from other regions of India.

National Cultural Troupes Join Local Artistes

The Department of Art and Culture has coordinated participation by cultural troupes from different states and Union Territories. These groups are performing in collaboration with local organisations and institutions, as well as national cultural bodies such as the South Zone Cultural Centre and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre.

The South Zone Cultural Centre ensemble is presenting a range of classical, folk and martial traditions, including Mayooranritham, Thira, Theyyam, Marakkal Attam, Karagam, Dummy Horse dance, Thappattam, Singarimelam and martial arts demonstrations. These performances are being staged across multiple venues during the festival period.

The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre troupe is showcasing Sambalpuri Mahamaya and Netaji-themed creative dances, adding to the variety of regional art forms being featured during the event. Officials said the programming reflects a deliberate effort to present a wide spectrum of Indian performing arts alongside indigenous island traditions.

In addition to dance and music, the festival features displays of local craftsmanship and food stalls, enabling visitors to engage with island-based skills and culinary traditions. The organisers said these elements are intended to support local artisans and small producers, while providing visitors with a more comprehensive cultural experience.

As in previous editions, the Department of Official Language is organising a Hasya Kavi Sammelan during the festival. The comic poetry session is expected to draw participation from poets and audiences across the islands.

Officials stated that the Island Tourism Festival has become a vital annual platform for cultural exchange and public engagement. By spreading programmes across multiple islands and involving both local and national performers, the 2025 edition aims to strengthen cultural engagement while promoting tourism across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the peak season.

(With inputs from PTI)

FAQs

1. What is the Island Tourism Festival 2025?
Island Tourism Festival 2025 is a five-day cultural event in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands featuring music, dance, arts, crafts and local traditions.

2. Where is Island Tourism Festival 2025 being held?
The festival is being held simultaneously at 13 venues across South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and the Nicobar group of islands.

3. Who inaugurated the Island Tourism Festival 2025?
The festival was inaugurated by Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Bishnu Pada Ray in Sri Vijaya Puram.

4. What kind of performances are part of the festival?
The festival includes local island dances, classical and folk performances from across India, martial arts, music programmes and comic poetry sessions.

5. Who is organising the Island Tourism Festival 2025?
The festival is organised by the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism in association with the Department of Art and Culture of the Andaman and Nicobar administration.