Sri Vijaya Puram, July 20: The three-day Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival-2026 concluded on July 19 with a strong public turnout at the ITF Ground, bringing together islanders and tourists for a celebration of regional cuisines, cultural performances and the multicultural heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration in collaboration with various line departments, the festival served as one of the flagship events under the Tourism Calendar of Fairs and Festivals. Throughout the three-day event, visitors experienced diverse culinary traditions, cultural expressions and artistic performances representing the Islands’ multicultural identity.
The concluding day witnessed a large Sunday gathering as families, tourists, youth and children visited the venue to explore food stalls, exhibition displays and cultural programmes. The ITF Ground remained crowded throughout the evening, with visitors sampling traditional dishes, interacting with exhibitors and participating in the closing celebrations.
The Department of Tourism organised the festival as a platform to promote tourism while showcasing the coexistence of different communities and their cultural traditions in the Islands. The event highlighted the role of food, music and cultural heritage in strengthening social harmony and enhancing the tourism experience.
Food stalls set up during the festival offered a wide variety of traditional delicacies and regional specialties, drawing enthusiastic responses from visitors. The festive atmosphere was complemented by cultural performances and musical presentations, providing entertainment for audiences across different age groups.
The cultural programme on the concluding day commenced with contemporary and classical dance performances by Akhanya Sujith and the team from Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy. The programme continued with the presentation of “MY Bharat/Suron Ka Safar” by Andaman Mahila Mandal.
The audience also witnessed a traditional dance performance by the Karen Community, reflecting the distinctive cultural heritage preserved in the Islands. An Odissi Nritya performance followed, showcasing one of India’s classical dance traditions as part of the evening’s cultural lineup.
The festival concluded with a live performance by Kalapani Band, which presented popular Bollywood songs. Visitors joined the performance by singing, clapping and dancing, bringing the three-day event to a close.
The concluding celebrations reflected sustained public participation throughout the festival. The combination of regional cuisines, cultural performances, live music and community participation reinforced the festival’s role in promoting tourism while highlighting the cultural diversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival-2026 concluded on July 19 after three days of cultural programmes and culinary exhibitions, marking the end of this year’s edition of one of the Administration’s flagship tourism events.
