Sri Vijaya Puram, November 15: The first edition of the Andaman Cultural Festival was held yesterday, November 14, at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Auditorium, Sri Vijaya Puram, bringing together more than 60 participants from nine States and Union Territories, including local performers from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The festival, organised by Discover Andaman Holidays Pvt. Ltd. in association with Ram Setu World, featured dance, singing, music and other cultural performances reflecting the country’s diverse artistic traditions.
President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators Mr. M. Vinod was the Chief Guest. The performances were judged by General Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Artists Welfare Federation Mr. Waheed Shah.
Mr. Vinod congratulated the organisers on the initiative to promote cultural tourism in the Islands. He said bringing artists from different parts of the country to the Islands, and holding such cultural events, could enrich the tourism experience and showcase the destination beyond its natural attractions.
Director of Discover Andaman Holidays Pvt. Ltd. and General Secretary of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators Mr. Saikat Biswas welcomed the artists and teams who had travelled from different States and Union Territories, and congratulated the winners and all the participants.
Mr. Waheed Shah thanked the organisers, partners, judges and participants, and stressed the importance of creating platforms that encourage young talent, promote cultural exchange and bring people from different parts of the country together through art and culture.
The organisers said the festival was meant to strengthen the link between tourism and cultural experiences in the Islands, which are widely known for their beaches, marine life and natural beauty, and to highlight their potential as a destination for cultural gatherings, artistic exchanges and experiential tourism. They said they plan to make it an annual event.
