Port Blair, Dec. 22: As the countdown for the much awaited Island Tourism Festival-2023 begins, hectic preparations are on at the ITF Ground, VIP Road to make the event a gala one. The Island Tourism Festival will be organized by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration from Dec. 27 to 31 to provide a common platform for all to participate with equal dedication and gaiety promoting and strengthening the spirit of brotherhood. Islanders as well as the tourists alike are waiting for the spectacular event to unfold on Dec.27. The festival projects the image of the Islands as eco-friendly tourist destination.

Being organized by the Tourism Department, A&N Administration in collaboration with Department of Art & Culture from Dec. 27 to 31, 2023, the five days festival, will see performances by artistes from mainland as well the Islands at various designated venues for the entertainment of the Islanders and tourists alike. The event will be held in 14 locations viz. Island Tourism Festival Ground, Wandoor, Wimberlygunj, Ferrargunj, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hutbay, Amphitheatre Anarkali, Marina and Corbyn’s Cove. Different Departments of the Administration will also take part in the ITF and depict the developmental activities taking place in A&N Islands through their stalls.

The main attraction of the event at ITF ground will witness performance by differently abled artists on wheel chairs who are associated with- ‘We Are One’, a Charitable Trust. The group comprises of differently able artists on wheel chairs and hearing and speech impaired artists who believe that dance has no barriers.

Apart from this, artistes of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) will perform at the ITF Ground. The artistes of SPIC MACAY will present Rajasthani Folk Music, Odissi dance by Vidushi Madhavi Mudgal and Troupe, Ghatam Performance by Padma Bhushan Vidwan TH Vinaykram (Vikku Vinayakram) and Qawwali by Mohammed Warsi and sons from Rampur. 

The ITF will witness a series of cultural programme which have been planned to entertain the Islanders as well as tourists alike. Artistes from about 50 Local Cultural Organizations will present series of cultural programmes, depicting the rich cultural heritage of India to entertain the visitors on all the five days. Apart from this, 50 artistes from Eastern Zonal Cultural Organization (Assam, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana) will also perform and entertain the visitors during the ITF.

Besides, various other activities such as performance by ‘End of Scene Band’ from Delhi, performance by ‘Police Entertainment Team’ and a ‘Nritya Natika’ on Tsunami at ITF Ground.

Other activities during the festival will include ‘Hasya Kavi Samelan’ by OL Department, Rangoli & Flower Show by Agriculture Department, ‘Dog Show’ by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. Baby Show by Health Department besides, fun games for children will also be available at the ITF Ground. Apart from this, the Island Tourism Festival will feature delicious food courts selling mouth watering cuisines & eatables, attractive handicrafts etc. The RD Department will engage SHGs to set up stalls in different venues of the ITF-2023 to showcase their home made products and handmade handicrafts.

The cultural programmes will be held at the ITF Ground from 4 pm to 10 pm. Shipping & Transport Departments are also making additional ferry and bus services so that people from remote areas can enjoy the festival in Port Blair. The Islanders as well as visiting tourists have been invited to participate in the Island Tourism Festival and make it a memorable experience.

Schedule of events to be organized at ITF from Dec.27 to 31, 2023. The programmes to be held on the first day of ITF i.e. on Dec.27 from 5.30 pm onwards after the inaugural function include Dog Show, Rajasthani Folk  Music (Bhugra Khan & Group), ‘We are One’- by differently abled artistes’, Choreography presentation by Shohini Dutta , Live Band performance by Kuan Panam. Apart from this, artistes from Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) will perform Bihu Folk Dance of Assam, Sambalpuri Folk Dance of Odisha, Rouf Folk Dance of Jammu & Kashmir and Faag, Panihari, Loor, Dhamal Folk Dance of Haryana. Children of Seva Niketan will present a dance based on the life story of a soldier who sacrificed his life for the nation, Jittu Entertainment, Semi Classical Dance, Gowri Shankar Classical Dance Academy, Patriotic & Folk Dances by Dance Nritya Academy.

On Dec. 28, Flower and Vegetable Show will be organized by Agriculture Department at ITF Ground and this will be followed by Bollywood Dances by Indradhanus Musical Association, Chota Nagpur Adivasi Dance by Ranchi Association, Nepali folk & fusion dances  by Balkrishna Nritya Academy, Semi Classical dances by Kasheesh, Patriotic and Folk Dances by Dance Nritya Academy, Hasya Kavi Sammelan, Bihu Folk dance by Assam–EZCC, Odissi Dance by Vidushi Madhavi Mudugal and group–SPIC MACAY, Performance by Women Police Pipe Band and Performance by Police Entertainment Team.

On Dec. 29, a Healthy Baby Show will be organized by Health Department followed  by Fancy Dress by Department of Education, Musical presentation by Andaman Sangeet Academy, Semi Classical Dances by KRG Kalai Kaveri School, Bollywood dances by Sky  Youth Club, Dance performance by Saraswati Shiksha Samiti, Dance by Suryodaya Youth Club, Dances by New Light House Association, Semi Classical & Folk dances by Jhummur (Shastriya Lok- Nrityangan), Classical dances by Mudra Dance Academy, Bihu Folk Dance by Assam-EZCC, Sambalpuri Folk Dance by Odisha–EZCC, Rouf Dance by Jammu & Kashmir-EZCC, Ghatam Performances by Padma Bhushan Vidwan TH Vinaykram (Vikku Vinayakram), Performance by Rock Band–End of Scene and DJ night.

On Dec. 30, Dog Show will be organized by Deptt. of AH&VS followed by Live band by Sitesh Live Orchestra, Faag, Panihari, Dhamal by Folk dance of Haryana–EZCC, Sambalpuri Folk Dance by Odisha-EZCC, Rouf Folk dance by Jammu & Kashmir-EZCC, Instrumental Music by Stars Social & Cultural Society, Live Band by Arpan Music Academy, Dance performance by Jhankar Dance Group, Bihu Folk dance by Assam-EZCC, Live Band- Raag by the Music Academy, Qawali by Mohammed Warsi and Sons from Rampur–SPIC MACAY and DJ night.

On Dec. 31, there will be performances by local cultural troupes followed by a Tribute to Martyrs by Children of Seva Niketan, Bollywood Mix by Jittu Entertainment, Semi Classical Songs by Sur Saptak Cultural Organization, Semi Classical songs by  MJ Music Academy, Semi Classical Dance by Gauri Shankar Classical Dance Academy, Semi Classical & Folk Fusion dances by Sujata Dance Academy, Ventriloquism and dances by Mukta Dhara, Live Band by End of Scene and DJ Night.