Sri Vijaya Puram, July 18: The second edition of the three-day Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival-2026 commenced on Friday at the ITF Ground, bringing together communities from across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to showcase regional cuisines, cultural traditions and local heritage through a tourism-focused public event scheduled to continue until July 19.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration as part of the Tourism Calendar of Events 2026-27, the festival aims to promote the Islands’ multicultural identity by providing a common platform for communities, local entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), hospitality establishments and government departments to present their traditions, food and public initiatives.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Chanchal Yadav inaugurated the festival in the presence of senior officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Following the inauguration, the chief guest and other dignitaries visited various stalls, interacted with exhibitors and reviewed displays set up by participating organisations.
The festival features a wide range of authentic regional cuisines presented by local vendors, SHGs and community organisations. State Cultural Associations representing the Karen Welfare Association, Webi, Mayabunder, Andaman Mopla Service Organization, Maharashtra Mandal, Kerala Samajam and Nicobari communities have established food stalls highlighting traditional dishes that reflect India’s diverse culinary heritage.
Among the major attractions is the participation of the Karen Community from Mayabunder, which is presenting its Traditional Welcome Dance and Traditional Bamboo Dance while also introducing visitors to its traditional cuisine. Food stalls serving traditional dishes from the Nicobar group of Islands have also drawn significant public interest during the opening day.
Several hotels and restaurants, including TSG, Chai Sutta Bar, Icy Spicy, Kabab & Roll Restaurant, Chocolate House, Shifa Catering and Muggle’s Point, along with local Self Help Groups and the Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), are participating by offering a variety of food items throughout the festival.
The event also includes participation from several government departments. Agriculture, Nancowrie and Nicobar (Tribal Welfare), Industries, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Science and Technology, Rural Development, Police and the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council have established exhibition stalls highlighting their public welfare programmes, development initiatives and citizen services.
The cultural programme on the opening evening began with a performance by the Andaman and Nicobar Police Band, followed by a solo classical fusion dance by Akhanya Sujith. The inaugural evening’s principal attraction was the Karen Community’s Bamboo Dance, during which performers dressed in traditional attire presented a synchronised cultural performance using bamboo poles, reflecting the community’s artistic heritage and traditional dance form.
The evening concluded with live musical performances by the Geet Sangeet Musical Group, which presented a series of songs and dance performances before visitors attending the inaugural day.
The festival is being held daily from 5 pm to 9 pm and will continue until July 19. Scheduled cultural programmes over the remaining two days include performances by Anuradha Ganeshan and team from KRG Kalai Kaveri School, Vijay Bahadur and Team of Dance Nritya Academy, the Karen Community’s Traditional Bamboo Dance, singers from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy, Andaman Mahila Mandal’s “MY Bharat/Suron Ka Safar”, Odissi dance and a live performance by Kalapani Band.
The Department of Tourism has invited residents and visitors to attend the remaining days of the festival and experience its food, cultural performances and exhibitions that reflect the Islands’ multicultural traditions.
