Port Blair: The curtains came down on the three-day Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival–2026 (MonsoonMagic2026) on Sunday evening, bringing to a close a colourful celebration of cuisine, culture and community that drew thousands of Islanders and tourists to the ITF Ground.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration in collaboration with various line Departments, the festival transformed the venue into a vibrant cultural hub where visitors experienced the rich culinary traditions and diverse heritage of the Islands and different parts of the country.
The event showcased an enticing blend of authentic regional cuisines, folk traditions, classical dance forms and live musical performances. One of the flagship events in the Administration’s Tourism Calendar of Fairs and Festivals, the Monsoon Food & Culture Festival has steadily grown into a major attraction, highlighting the multicultural identity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands while promoting tourism and fostering unity through food, art and cultural exchange.
The final day witnessed an impressive Sunday turnout, with families, tourists, youngsters and children thronging the venue. Food stalls offering a variety of traditional delicacies remained packed throughout the evening, while exhibition stalls and cultural displays attracted enthusiastic visitors. The beautifully illuminated ITF Ground, pleasant monsoon weather and the aroma of freshly prepared dishes added to the festive atmosphere.
The cultural programme began with an elegant presentation of classical and contemporary dance by Ms. Akhanya Sujith and artistes of Natyanjali Classical Dance Academy. This was followed by the spirited ‘MY Bharat/Suron Ka Safar’ performance by the Andaman Mahila Mandal.
The audience was captivated by a traditional dance presented by the Karen community, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of the Islands. An impressive Odissi recital further showcased India’s rich classical dance tradition, earning enthusiastic applause from the gathering.
The grand finale belonged to the popular Kalapani Band, whose energetic performance of Bollywood hit songs had the audience singing, clapping and dancing along. Their lively show brought the festival to a memorable close.
Blending cuisine, music, dance and cultural traditions under one roof, the Island Monsoon Food & Culture Festival–2026 once again reaffirmed its status as one of the most awaited tourism events in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, leaving visitors with cherished memories and celebrating the vibrant multicultural spirit of the Islands.
