The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has called on the public to contribute artifacts, information, and other materials to showcase the Islands’ maritime heritage in the Coastal Union Territory Pavilion at the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), Lothal, Gujarat. The NMHC, part of the Sagarmala Programme under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, aims to celebrate India’s maritime legacy through state-sponsored pavilions representing each State and Union Territory.
The Administration said the pavilion will highlight the unique culture, architecture, lifestyle, and maritime history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials emphasized that public contributions will play a key role in creating an authentic representation of the Islands’ heritage.
Items sought for the pavilion include materials and information on coastal archaeological sites and port towns, artifacts such as sculptures, terracotta, figurines, coins, paintings, and manuscripts, as well as monuments, temples, forts, caves, inscriptions, and other cultural landmarks. The Administration also encouraged submissions reflecting the coastal communities’ traditions, boat-building techniques, and historical shipbuilding practices.
Trade, cultural, and religious interactions with foreign nations, along with continuity of art and craft traditions including bead making, pottery, textiles, and metalwork, are also being requested. Replicas of forts, coastline activities, ancient ships, festivals, folklore, regional maritime heritage, and culinary traditions will be considered for display.
All contributions and information should be submitted to the Secretary of the Art & Culture Department, Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Submissions can be made via email at artand.culture@and.nic.in or delivered directly to the department’s office. The Administration stated that contributions will likely be acknowledged in the Andaman and Nicobar Pavilion at NMHC.
Officials emphasized that public participation is crucial for presenting an accurate and comprehensive depiction of the Islands’ rich maritime legacy. The initiative is expected to strengthen cultural awareness and preserve historical knowledge, while giving the Union Territory an opportunity to project its unique heritage on a national platform.
The NMHC project, under the Sagarmala Programme, is being developed to promote India’s maritime history through state-specific pavilions, cultural exhibits, and historical narratives. By participating in this initiative, the Administration said, residents and researchers alike can ensure that the Islands’ maritime traditions, crafts, and coastal practices are preserved for future generations and showcased to a wider audience.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration expressed confidence that contributions from the general public will help create a pavilion that authentically represents the vibrant cultural, social, and maritime heritage of the Islands.
