Muscat, Oman – October 13, 2025 – The Indian diaspora in Oman is set to welcome a landmark occasion as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan makes his maiden visit to the Sultanate of Oman to inaugurate the Indian Community Fest (ICF) from October 23–25, 2025. The highly anticipated event will take place at the expansive Amerat Park in Muscat and is expected to attract over 50,000 attendees across three days.
Organized by the Kerala Wing of the Indian Social Club (ISC), Muscat, the Indian Community Fest is poised to be one of the largest cultural celebrations by the Indian diaspora in the Gulf region. The event will feature over 700 performers, showcasing a rich blend of Indian and Omani arts under the theme: “Be Humane, Let Peace Prevail.”
“It is a proud and historic moment for the Keralite community in Oman to host the Chief Minister of Kerala for the first time,” said Wilson George, Chairman of the Kerala Wing and Member of the Loka Kerala Sabha. “This visit holds great significance not only for our community but also for strengthening the enduring India-Oman relationship.”
This visit marks the first time a Chief Minister from Kerala is attending an ISC event since its inception. The last time a Kerala CM visited Oman was in 1999, when the late E.K. Nayanar made an official visit, recalled veteran journalist Bino Puthen Purackal, who covered that visit as a young reporter.
The organizing committee comprises 60 members led by Wilson George (Chairman), Ajayan Poyyara (Convenor), and K. K. Sunil Kumar (Vice Chairman). All linguistic wings of the ISC—including Gujarati, Marathi, and Hindi—have been invited to join the celebration.
Highlights of the three-day event include:
- Live performances by 700+ artists, including traditional Indian and Omani art forms
- A special musical concert by Kerala’s popular band “Kanal”
- The flagship Muscat Science Fest (MSF) – a science exhibition and competition that promotes scientific curiosity among school students across Oman
- Cultural programs open to the public from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM daily at Amerat Park
The Muscat Science Fest has grown steadily in popularity and aims to bring together students from Indian and international schools in Oman. This year, noted scientist and science communicator Ratheesh Krishna will inaugurate the MSF. Attractive prizes await the winners.
Prominent dignitaries such as M.A. Yusuff Ali (Chairman, Lulu Group), Dr. P. Mohammed Ali (Founder Chairman, Galfar Engineering), and Abdul Lateef (Member, Oman Chamber of Commerce) are expected to attend alongside other distinguished guests from both Oman and India.
The event is free and open to the public, presenting a significant logistical challenge for the organizing team in managing the expected crowd of over 50,000. However, the Kerala Wing, with strong volunteer support and community backing, is confident of delivering a safe, memorable, and successful event.
Shahi Foods and Spices is the title sponsor of this year’s festival.
Previously known as Keralotsavam, the Indian Community Fest has a long history of celebrating Kerala’s vibrant cultural heritage. Over the years, it has hosted a range of luminaries including K.K. Shailaja, Shabana Azmi, Sunitha Krishnan, Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, Dr. V.P. Gangadharan, and renowned film directors like Ranjith, Kamal, and Manoj K. Jayan.
The 2025 edition promises to be the grandest yet, reinforcing the strong cultural ties and shared values between the people of India and Oman.
By Vinod Raghavan