Port Blair, Sept. 18: The Department of Art and Culture and the Department of Tourism, A&N Administration in collaboration with the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, GoI, Kolkata is organizing mega Cultural Festival “Maati Ke Rang” – (Octave and Silver Jubilee Celebration of Zonal Cultural Centers) in Andaman from 23^rd -27^th September 2012. The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands will inaugurate the 5 days festival at ITF Ground on 23^rd September 2012 at 6.30 p.m. Choreographic presentation of visiting artists will be the highlight of the inaugural function.

This year the Ministry of Culture, Government of India is celebrating Silver Jubilee Celebrations of seven Zonal Cultural Centers, which were set up to promote, propagate and disseminate the rich folk and tribal heritage of India. In addition to the Silver Jubilee celebrations there will be Octave Festival, a celebration of the culture of the eight north eastern states of India. 212 folk artistes and 20 craftsman representing fourteen states of India and five Cultural groups with folk dances from A&N Islands will participate in the festival.