The Island Tourism Festival (ITF) 2025 witnessed a significant surge in attendance on December 28, 2025, as large crowds gathered at multiple venues across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a day after the festival’s inauguration. With December 28 being a public holiday, the main venue at the ITF Ground saw heavy footfall, reflecting strong public interest in the annual cultural and tourism event aimed at showcasing island life and boosting local tourism.
Organised by the Tourism Department in association with the Department of Art and Culture and other line departments of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the festival is being held as a multi-venue celebration involving cultural performances, exhibitions, handicrafts, food stalls and community participation. Both local residents and tourists were seen thronging the venues, underlining the festival’s growing appeal as a major tourism and cultural platform in the islands.
At the ITF Ground, vehicular movement increased sharply as visitors made their way to the main pavilion, resulting in traffic congestion and long queues of vehicles. Traffic personnel were deployed in large numbers to regulate movement and ensure smoother flow amid the surge in visitors.
Cultural performances at the ITF Main Pavilion began on a refined note with presentations by Aditya Natya Academy, followed by KRG Kalai Kaveri School. Artistes from the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) held the audience’s attention with powerful renditions of Singarimelam, Theyyam and Martial Arts. Adding regional diversity, artistes from Jammu and Kashmir presented the folk dance Badherbai, which received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
The evening programme continued with classical dance performances by Vikas Academy, Balakrishna Nritya Academy and Gauri Shankara Classical Dance Academy, highlighting the depth and discipline of traditional Indian dance forms. The cultural evening concluded with a high-energy musical performance by The Kalapani Band, which drew loud applause and marked a lively end to the main stage events. The Shompen Hut and Nicobari Hodi installations at the ITF Ground emerged as major attractions, drawing steady crowds throughout the evening.
Parallel cultural activities at the Marina Esplanade also witnessed strong participation. Classical dance performances by Mudra Academy of Classical Dance and Kailashpathi Classical Dance Academy set the tone, followed by energetic presentations from the Jhankar Dance Group. SZCC artistes presented a colourful array of traditional folk forms including Theyyam, Marakkalattam, Karagam, Oyil and Thappattam, offering audiences a glimpse into India’s diverse folk heritage. Performances by Inspiration Dance Studio, Youth Club Ograbraj (Karaoke) and the Police Band added variety and kept the atmosphere vibrant.
The programme also featured folk and tribal dances and music by artistes from the Directorate of Culture and Language, Chhattisgarh, alongside karaoke performances by the Friends Cultural Group and Event Musical Group, which were well received by spectators.
Beyond the capital area, cultural events were organised at Wimberlygunj, Hutbay, Baratang, Rangat and Car Nicobar, ensuring island-wide participation in the festival. At Wimberlygunj, performances included Jhumurr (Shastriya-Lok) by Nrityangan, dance presentations by Sri Sitaramanjaneya Youth Club, Sambalpuri dance by artistes of the East Zone Cultural Centre (EZCC), and Kathak performances by artistes from Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow. Folk forms such as Ras from Gujarat, along with performances by Kalangan, The Island Development and Swaraj Youth Club, sustained audience engagement. The evening concluded with a live band performance by Arpan Music Academy.
At Hutbay, cultural presentations were made by the Sri Sitaramanjaneya Temple Committee and the Nritya Academy of Classical Dance. At Baratang, a Mahamaya and Netaji-themed creative dance by EZCC artistes and a performance by Sangeet Musical Group drew appreciation. Rangat witnessed SZCC presentations of Marakkalattam, Karagam, Oyil, Martial Arts, Thappattam, Thira and Theyyam, followed by a karaoke performance by Srishti Cultural Group. At Car Nicobar, SZCC artistes showcased a repertoire of ritual and traditional dances, including Theyyam and Thira, followed by a karaoke programme by Dream World Entertainer.
The widespread participation across venues reaffirmed the Island Tourism Festival’s role as a major cultural and tourism event, promoting unity in diversity and celebrating India’s rich artistic traditions within the unique island setting of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
