Nita Ambani, founder of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, is set to host a landmark three-day Indian Cultural Weekend at New York City’s iconic Lincoln Center from 12 to 14 September 2025. The event marks the international debut of NMACC, which opened in Mumbai in 2023 as a multidisciplinary hub for Indian and global arts.
The NMACC Weekend aims to bring the vibrancy and diversity of Indian culture to a global audience. The programme will feature a rich tapestry of music, dance, fashion, art, and cuisine, spotlighting both classical and contemporary forms. The event is designed to position Indian arts at the forefront of the world’s creative imagination, reflecting Ambani’s vision to share India’s artistic legacy with the world.
The festivities will open with ‘Grand Swagat’, an exclusive, invite-only gala featuring a fashion show curated by designer Manish Malhotra, who will showcase Indian handlooms and traditional weaves. The culinary experience for the evening will be crafted by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, presenting dishes from across India.
The cultural weekend will also see performances from celebrated Indian artists including singers Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal, as well as classical musician Rishab Sharma. A major highlight will be the international premiere of ‘The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation’, a Broadway-style production directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, tracing 7,000 years of Indian history through music, dance, and elaborate stagecraft.
In addition to ticketed events, Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center will host open-to-public experiences such as morning yoga sessions with Eddie Stern, cricket-themed panels, Bollywood dance workshops led by choreographer Shiamak Davar, and a Swadesh marketplace featuring Indian artisans and handicrafts brought from India. The bazaar will offer live demonstrations and a pop-up showcasing Indian textiles and crafts.
Nita Ambani’s commitment to promoting Indian arts is rooted in her own experience as a young Bharatanatyam dancer, when she performed her arangetram in a temple due to financial constraints. This early inspiration has shaped her mission to support and elevate Indian arts and artisans on the world stage.
Tickets for the NMACC Weekend are scheduled to go on sale in late June. The event is expected to draw significant attention from both the Indian diaspora and the wider international community, offering New York a unique opportunity to experience India’s cultural richness firsthand.
