Sri Vijaya Puram, July 17: The 2nd Edition of the three-day Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival–2026 (#MonsoonMagic2026) got underway today at the ITF Ground, ushering in a vibrant celebration of the diverse cuisines, colourful traditions and rich cultural heritage that make the A&N Islands a unique confluence of communities from across the country.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, A&N Administration as part of the Tourism Calendar of Events 2026–27, the festival celebrates the unique charm of the monsoon season while showcasing the Islands’ rich multicultural fabric through food, music, dance and traditional art forms.
The festival was inaugurated by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, as the chief guest in the presence of the Senior Officers of A&N Administration. The chief guest & other dignitaries also went around the stalls, took keen interest on the displays and interacted with the stall occupants. The festival provides a unique platform for various communities residing in the Islands to come together and celebrate the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity’ through their distinctive cuisines, traditions and cultural expressions. The event reflects the Islands’ identity as a vibrant melting pot where culinary traditions and cultural practices from different parts of India have flourished together over the years.
Visitors were treated to an impressive array of authentic regional delicacies served by local vendors, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and cultural associations. The festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from various State Cultural Associations of the Islands, including the Karen Welfare Association, Webi, Mayabunder, Andaman Mopla Service Organization, Maharashtra Mandal, Kerala Samajam and Nicobari communities, each presenting their traditional cuisines that highlighted the remarkable diversity of India’s culinary heritage.
One of the major attractions of this year’s festival is the participation of the Karen Community from Mayabunder, which captivated the audience with its vibrant Traditional Welcome Dance and Traditional Bamboo Dance while also offering visitors a glimpse of its unique culinary traditions. Adding to the gastronomic experience, stalls featuring the popular traditional cuisines of the Nicobar group of Islands have also drawn significant attention.
Several renowned hotels and restaurants, including TSG, Chai Sutta Bar, Icy Spicy, Kabab & Roll Restaurant, Chocolate House, Shifa Catering and Muggle’s Point (Bathubasti), along with local SHGs and the Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), have set up attractive food stalls offering a wide range of delicious delicacies, making the festival a paradise for food lovers.
Adding further value to the festival, Government Departments such as Agriculture, Nancowrie & Nicobar (Tribal Welfare), Industries, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Science & Technology, Rural Development, Police and Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) have also set up informative stalls showcasing their flagship programmes, innovative initiatives and public welfare services. The festival is being held daily from 5 pm to 9 pm and will continue till July 19.
The opening evening came alive with a scintillating musical performance by the A&N Police Band, enthralling the audience with melodious instrumental and vocal presentations. This was followed by a graceful solo classical fusion dance by Ms. Akhanya Sujith, which received warm appreciation from the gathering. The highlight of the inaugural function was the vibrant Bamboo Dance presented by the Karen community. Gracefully dressed in colourful traditional attire, male and female dancers captivated the audience with their synchronized performance, rhythmically clapping and striking horizontal bamboo poles together while skillfully stepping in and out of the crisscrossing bamboo patterns with remarkable precision and agility. The lively presentation reflected the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the Karen community, earning enthusiastic applause from the gathering. The festivities continued with lively songs and dance performances by the Geet Sangeet Musical Group, keeping the audience entertained well into the evening.
The Department of Tourism has invited Islanders and tourists to visit the festival over the remaining two days and experience the unique blend of flavours, traditions and cultural performances that beautifully represent the rich multicultural identity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The festival promises an unforgettable celebration of food, culture and togetherness, offering something special for visitors of all age groups.
Monsoon Food & Culture Festival 2026 – #MonsoonMagic2026
Schedule of Cultural Programmes at ITF Ground (18th–19th July 2026)
18.07.2026 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Performance by Ms. Anuradha Ganeshan & Team – KRG Kalai Kaveri School
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Performance by Shri. Vijay Bahadur & Team – Dance Nritya Academy
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Traditional Bamboo dance by Karen Community
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Singers from A & N Administration – AS (GA) & Team
19.07.2026 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – 5:40 PM: Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy, Atlanta Point- Solo and group Classical Dance – Ms. Akhanya Sujith & team
5:40 PM – 6:40 PM: MY Bharat/Suron Ka Safar by Andaman Mahila Mandal
6:40 PM – 7:00 PM : Traditional dance by Karen Community
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM: Odissi Nritya
7:10 PM – 9:00 PM: Live Band Performances – By Kalapani Band
The Department of Tourism extends a cordial invitation to residents and visitors alike to experience the flavours, traditions, music and cultural heritage of the Islands at this vibrant festival. Join us at #MonsoonMagic2026 from 17th to 19th July, 2026, at the ITF Ground, Sri Vijaya Puram, from 5 PM onwards, and make this event a grand success.