Kamorta, Jan. 9: The Island Tourism Festival (ITF) 2025 was organised at Indira Park, Nancowry on 7th & 8th January, 2026, celebrating the rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms and vibrant community life of the Nicobar Islands. The festival provided a dynamic platform for cultural expression, youth participation and inter-village exchange, drawing enthusiastic participation from residents across the Nancowry group of Islands.
The festival was organized by the Nancowry Administration in collaboration with the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism and the Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration, with the support of the local Tribal Councils.
The inaugural programme was graced by Shri Aditya Sangotra, Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry, as the chief guest. Shri Charles Jacob, Chairperson, Tribal Council, Kamorta, Ms. Ayesha Majeed, Chairperson, Tribal Council, Nancowry, and officers from INS Kardip and ICG Kamorta were also present on the occasion. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by Shri Mohammed Yunus M., Nodal Officer (ITF) / Block Development Officer, Nancowry. In his address, he highlighted that such platforms are important for strengthening community bonds and also provide valuable opportunities for the public to learn about various Government schemes and welfare programmes through departmental participation.
A video film on the traditional Nicobari art form “Kinthwaka”, performed by the villagers of Munak Village under Kamorta Tribal Council, was screened, showcasing the cultural depth and living traditions of the Nicobar Islands. This was followed by the inaugural address of the chief guest, wherein he highlighted the achievements made by the Administration in the territory and also shared details of key development projects in the pipeline, reflecting the Administration’s continued focus on inclusive and sustainable development.
During the function, the chief guest formally handed over the keys of Mortuary Vans, procured under the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), to the Chairperson Tribal Councils (CTC) of Kamorta and Nancowry. The provision of these vehicles addressed a long-pending demand of the tribal community, and the initiative was widely appreciated as a sensitive and people-centric intervention, marking the fulfilment of a long-standing community requirement.
As part of the festival celebrations, several traditional community games and activities were organised to encourage mass participation and revive indigenous recreational practices. These included Pillow Fight (Men’s), Tug of War and Coconut Grating. In addition, a Mini Marathon was conducted from the Helipad to Indira Park, witnessing enthusiastic participation from youth and community members.
The cultural evenings witnessed a grand line-up of performances, featuring a vibrant mix of traditional, classical, folk, semi-classical, Bollywood and western dance forms. Major highlights included the Fire Dance and Bamboo Dance by Team Tapong, reflecting traditional tribal strength and rhythm; folk dances by village groups from Champin and Hitui villages; performances by Youth Club Pilpillow and other community groups; and classical and fusion performances by the cultural troupe members of Vikas Dance Academy, Sri Vijaya Puram, who elevated the overall standard of the programme with their high-energy and captivating performances. Various group and solo performances by school children also added vibrancy to the cultural evenings. The diverse performances, marked by colourful costumes, rhythmic beats and expressive storytelling, were warmly appreciated by the audience and beautifully reflected the cultural plurality of the Nancowry group of islands.
On the second day of the festival, the cultural programme featured competitive events including the Carol Singing Competition and Nancowry Idol – Season 3 Singing Competition, which provided a platform for local singers and emerging talent. The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation and strong audience engagement, further enriching the festive spirit of ITF 2025.
Stalls set up by various Departments such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Health, Fire Service and Rural Development attracted visitors and served as effective awareness platforms on Government schemes, welfare initiatives and essential public services.
The Island Tourism Festival 2025 concluded on a high note, as Nancowry came alive with shared bonding, joy and collective happiness, reinforcing a strong sense of unity, cultural pride and community harmony among the people.