From her humble beginnings as a young Bharatnatyam dancer performing her arangetram in a temple due to lack of access to a theater, Nita Ambani’s journey has come full circle. As a chairperson of the Reliance Foundation and wife of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, she realized her long-held dream of creating a world-class cultural space with the launch of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai in 2023. The launch was a star-studded affair, described by many as “India’s Met Gala,” with appearances by Zendaya, Shah Rukh Khan, Gigi Hadid, Priyanka Chopra, and others in celebration of Indian craftsmanship.
Inspired by iconic venues like Lincoln Center and the Sydney Opera House, Ambani envisioned a cultural hub to honor India’s vast heritage—from dance and music to folklore and handicrafts. Ten years in the making, the NMACC has since hosted a range of performances and exhibitions, including Broadway productions like Mamma Mia! and The Phantom of the Opera, traditional kathak shows, and installations by artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Andy Warhol. Now, Ambani is preparing to take that vision global.
From September 12 to 14, the NMACC Weekend will take over New York’s Lincoln Center, bringing Indian culture to the heart of Manhattan through three days of dance, music, fashion, and more. The celebration will begin with Grand Swagat, an invitation-only gala featuring a fashion show for Ambani’s Swadesh handloom brand, curated by renowned designer Manish Malhotra. Acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna, known for his East Village restaurant Bungalow, will serve a specially crafted menu reflecting flavors from across India. Tickets for the NMACC Weekend in New York City are expected to go on sale at the end of June.
The weekend’s lineup includes concerts by Bollywood icons Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal, a classical music performance by Rishab Sharma, and five stagings of The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation. To ensure accessibility and engagement, Damrosch Park at Lincoln Square will transform into a cultural bazaar open to the public, featuring daily yoga sessions with wellness expert Eddie Stern, Bollywood dance workshops led by choreographer Shiamak Davar, a panel on cricket, and a Swadesh pop-up selling Indian handicrafts and fashion. Artisans from India will be flown in to demonstrate their work on-site.
Vanity Fair quoted Nita Ambani as saying: “How do you democratize and bring it to people and let everybody enjoy it?” she reflected. As anticipation grows, Ambani revealed one personal touch she’s especially excited about: “I’m going to dance on the first night.” From temple floors to the Lincoln Center stage, her journey reflects the rising global presence of Indian arts.
