On March 31 – April 2, 2023, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, a first-of-its-kind venue for India, was unveiled in Mumbai with a spectacular star-studded launch. The opening of the Centre, which celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage in all its glory and aims to make art from across the globe accessible to all, was marked by three expertly-curated shows and exhibits in the space of performance, costume and visual arts.
“My heart is full…Mukesh [her husband, renowned businessman Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani] and I had dreamt about having a cultural centre in India comparable to the best in the world. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai,” Mrs Nita Mukesh Ambani said at the launch.
Isha Mukesh Ambani added, “My mother [Nita Mukesh Ambani] and I believe that art has the power to transform and engage with a community. Art spaces are a unifier—where cultures meet and converge. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is an extension of this vision.”
The opening weekend was attended by Indian and international actors, thought leaders, supermodels, business leaders, opinion makers and designers. Noteworthy names at the event includedShah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Nick Jonas, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Penélope Cruz, Kat Graham, Gigi Hadid, Emma Chamberlain, Jeff Koons, Francesco Clemente, Derek Blasberg, Law Roach, Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Christian Louboutin, Alex Israel, Tarun Tahiliani, Rahul Mishra, Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna, Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Ritu Kumar, Anuradha Vakil, Naeem Khan, Bibhu Mohapatra, Giambattista Valli, Prabal Gurung, Fai Khadra, Gaia Repossi, Giovanna Engelbert, Bianca Brandolini, Coco Brandolini, Noor Fares, Margherita Missoni, Eugenie Niarchos, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Mickalene Thomas, Doug Aitken, Evangelo Bousis, Jessica Wang, Caro Daur, Young Emperors, Gabrielle Caunesil, Tamara Kalinic, Xenia Adonts, Jack Wright, Gala Gonzalez, Karlie Kloss, Marina Ruy Barbosa, Natasha Poonawalla, Sabine Getty and many more.
Day one saw the inauguration of The Grand Theatre, the star attraction of the Centre. The sprawling 2000-seater venue was launched with an immersive theatrical experience, ‘The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation’, conceived, written and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan. The 90-minute marquee production, which brought together a line-up of exceptional Indian talent along with a Tony and Emmy Award-winning crew, left a lasting impression on the audience.
Day two was dedicated to the launch of ‘India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textile on the Fashionable Imagination’. The exhibit, curated by one of fashion’s greatest voices, Hamish Bowles, spotlighted how India has influenced fashion and style from the 18th century to the present day. The many noteworthy names in attendance were invited to view an expansive showcase of over 140 costumes which included both the India-inspired works of international designers as well as specially-commissioned garments created by Indian designers. On display were also pieces sourced from some of the world’s biggest museums and unseen personal collections from across the globe.
After the viewing, guests made their way to a gala dinner where they raised a toast to the Centre’s vision. The glamorous evening came to a fitting end with an after-party that saw dance performances by leading actors including a surprise act by superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
On the final day of the grand opening, the Art House, a four-storey building celebrating visual arts, was inaugurated by Shrimati Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani. The debut exhibition, Sangam/Confluence, co-curated by Ranjit Hoskote and Jeffrey Deitch, explored the theme of union that’s deeply embedded in Indian culture through the works of 10 Indian and international artists. On the same day, Nita Mukesh Ambani launched India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textiles on the Fashionable Imagination, a new book edited by Hamish Bowles and published by Rizzoli. Key contributors read excerpts from the book at the Centre’s Studio Theatre, including designer Anuradha Vakil, curator Amin Jaffer and journalist Suzy Menkes. Through the course of the afternoon, guests indulged in a laid-back brunch. The Theatre Cafe hosted an intimate performance by one of the country’s leading singers and songwriters Prateek Kuhad. Both the brunch and music set the perfect tone for a relaxed Sunday.
About NMACC
NMACC is housed within the Jio World Centre, which is also home to the country’s largest convention centre, retail and hospitality outlets, and more, all in the heart of India’s financial and entertainment capital. The expansive building has spaces for performance as well as visual arts. A trio of dedicated spaces for the performing arts include The Grand Theatre, The Studio Theatre and The Cube, all built with cutting-edge technology to cater to a wide range of experiences, from intimate screenings and stimulating conversations to multilingual programming and international productions. The centre will also launch the Art House, a four-storey space spotlighting leading Indian and international artists.
About Reliance Industries Limited
Reliance is India’s largest private sector company. Its activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail and digital services.