A Pivotal Event: India’s Culture Showcase on the World Stage
This September, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) of New York City will host the very first international “India Weekend” from September 12 to 14, 2025. Reliance Foundation philanthropist Nita Ambani will lead the event, which seeks to promote India’s art, music, dance, fashion, and cuisine on one of the world’s premier cultural platforms. This is a breathtaking celebration of Indian culture.
The Grand Swagat: An Exquisite Opening Night
The festivities commence with the “Grand Swagat,” an exclusive invitation to the red carpet gala. This night will also host the Swadesh Fashion Show curated by top designer Manish Malhotra that highlights India’s traditional handlooms and woven textiles. Vikas Khanna is set to serve his haute food couture, taking people on a journey through the different Indian cuisines.
A hallmark of the weekend is the spectacular performances from India’s top artists, such as Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal. Rishab Sharma, a classical sitarist, will fuse traditional and contemporary styles, followed by Parthiv Gohil and his troupe, who will integrate the energy of Garba and Dandiya Raas with a local dance company in New York. The closing performances will be an exuberant, flower-filled celebration called Phoolon Ki Holi, followed by Retro Nights with a DJ set to cap off the festivities.
Highlighting the weekend will be the premiere of ‘The Great Indian Musical
Civilization to Nation’ at the David H. Koch Theater. Feroz Abbas Khan will direct the show, which features over 100 performers with elaborate costumes by Manish Malhotra. This production is a grand theatrical spectacle portraying 7,000 years of Indian history through music, dance, and stunning visuals. It is sure to be a highlight, as we have never seen such storytelling blended with splendor on this scale.
Apart from the ticketed activities, there are other events open to the public at Damrosch Park. Morning yoga with wellness expert Eddie Stern and “Shiamak Davar’s Bollywood Dance Workshop” will get New Yorkers and visitors engaged. There will also be borders showcasing Indian handicrafts and artwork at the Swadesh marketplace, allowing us to experience India’s creative economy firsthand.
Broadening Cultures Through Art: Nita Ambani’s Vision
Nita Ambani’s vision for NMACC has always been to ‘take the best of India to the world and bring the best of the world to India.’ Her cultural philanthropy, which began over a decade ago, drawing inspiration from The Met, Sydney Opera House, and other such global institutions, culminated in India taking the international stage last year with the Lincoln Center. She believes culture brings people together, helps them empathize, and teaches them how to respectfully differ, which are some of the many values she wants to share with the world.
NMACC India Weekend—Inauguration of a New Era for Indian Art Global Citizenship
The NMACC India Weekend is more than just a Zaveri show. It is one of the many steps taken towards reinforcing Indian presence in the international cultural scene. India’s diaspora, art enthusiasts, and inquisitive New Yorkers can look forward to a three-day refined voyage of India’s past, present, and future. Looking forward to what is bound to be one of the most important cultural celebrations of 2025.
