Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 20 December 2025
Hindu Rashtra Shakti has submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands calling for what it describes as urgent corrective measures in the planning of the Island Tourism Festival (ITF) 2025. The letter, signed by State Youth President Angshuman Roy, claims that local artists continue to face “systematic neglect, financial injustice and lack of dignity” in the flagship event of the Union Territory.
According to the representation, the organisation alleges that remuneration rates paid to local artists have remained stagnant for more than a decade despite rising costs of living, transportation and rehearsal requirements. It asserts that such stagnation has “severely demoralised” performers and accuses the administration of “apathy”.
In the letter, the group has demanded that the Administration revise minimum remuneration for each stage performance on a district-wise basis, proposing ₹30,000 for South Andaman artists, ₹35,000 for North & Middle Andaman and ₹40,000 for Nicobar. The higher figure for remote districts, the representation claims, is justified due to additional logistics and accommodation costs.
The organisation has also sought changes in stage time and frequency of appearances. It has demanded that each selected local cultural team be allotted a minimum of two performances. Further, it has asked for 45 minutes of compulsory stage time for singing groups and 30 minutes for dance groups, stating that anything shorter does not reflect the time invested in preparation.
Describing equitable representation as essential, the representation calls for compulsory inter-island participation covering South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts. It also seeks mandatory provision of transportation, boarding and lodging for participating artists, particularly those travelling from outer islands.
On eligibility conditions, the letter urges that no age bar be imposed and that children aged six and above be encouraged to participate, maintaining that early exposure is important for sustaining indigenous art forms.
Concerns have also been raised in the letter regarding transparency in selection. The group has proposed that a committee comprising music and dance teachers from the ‘Andaman Academy’ and government educational institutions oversee selections “to eliminate favouritism”.
The representation further requests that representatives of local artists be consulted in planning and execution stages of ITF 2025. It argues that continued neglect “threatens the cultural soul of the Islands” and appeals to the Lieutenant Governor for personal intervention.
Copies of the representation have been forwarded to senior officials of the Administration, including the Chief Secretary and Secretaries of Tourism and Art & Culture.
