Mumbai’s New Creative Hub Pays Homage To Indian Artistry In Opening Weekend

Opening in style over a weekend filled with prolific events which drew stars from across the world, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) is bringing an exciting dynamic to the art and fashion world, not only re-establishing Mumbai as a creative nucleus, but giving it a stage on which to present the best of the country’s talent and connecting it to a global audience. A lifelong mission of Mrs. Nita Ambani, who worked on the project closely with her daughter Isha Ambani, the scale and magnitude of her ambition was clear to see in last weekend’s opening of this multi-disciplinary venue.

Commencing the celebrations with the inaugural performance on the venue’s Grand Theatre stage, The Great Indian Musical: Civilisation to Nation, explored the country’s journey to independence through a dazzling display of dance with music led by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra. The 90-minute production, written and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, offered a glimpse into the exciting roster of performances set to take place over the coming years in this state-of-the-art 2000-seater venue. “Indian culture has influenced civilizations around the world for centuries,” Mrs. Nita Ambani says as she discusses how art and culture helps to weave the threads of mutual understanding and respect between communities and countries. “At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, our vision is to showcase the depth and diversity of our heritage to the world, and also bring the best of the world to India. We hope this Centre becomes a platform that continues to inspire and empower future generations, not only in India, but globally.”

Day two saw the opening of India in Fashion: The Impact of Indian Dress and Textile on the Fashionable Imagination – an insightful exhibition curated by Hamish Bowles, highlighting the impact of India on the fashion world over the past few centuries. Curating 140 designs from collections never seen before and from the archives of prestigious galleries across the world, this powerful display included works inspired by the heritage of the country as well as commissioned pieces created by Indian designers.

Designed and orchestrated by widely acclaimed director, set and costume designer Patrick Kinmonth, alongside globally renowned architect Rooshad Shroff, the production was one of grandeur and impact. Alluding to the architecture of India itself, with bold colours and a wide range of materials displayed at scale thanks to the spacious facilities, the exhibition took you on a magical journey across a multitude of eras and styles. With specific sections dedicated to designers such as Chanel and Christian Dior, there was an organic cohesiveness as you moved through the space despite the intrinsic individuality throughout.

When looking at the influence of India on the world of fashion, and more specifically the impact of Indian embroiderers and the vast depth of craft the country offers, Kinmonth hopes it will inspire couture houses and global designers to acknowledge the debt to the artisans behind each collection and their impact on the wider industry. Speaking of the set design, he reveals how they sought to explore the relationship between fashion and the country’s architecture directly. “We wanted to ensure it would frame each piece and therefore express what is in the clothes but in an external and 3-dimensional way in the places where the clothes themselves are worn,” he states.

Proving that art really is a force for change, the exhibition encapsulates the magic of Indian fashion perfectly, with it following the journey of the Sari as well as the marriage between Eastern and Western cultures. “In allowing excellence to happen it was pivotal having Mrs. Ambani lead this project for us,” Kimonth continues, as he describes the creative process behind India in Fashion. “As an artist herself she knew what was required to ensure the best results could be achieved. In creating exhibitions today it is very common to have your dreams denied or altered to meet constraints but, on this occasion, she said yes!” This freedom allowed those involved to create something very special and an exhibition which pays such homage to the traditions and skillsets behind the beauty and intricacy of Indian fashion.

Day three of the weekend also witnessed the opening of the venue’s Art House which hosted its debut exhibition: Sangam/Confluence. Curated by Ranjit Hoskote and Jeffrey Deitch, it featured the work of 10 Indian and international artists. Again, with the mission behind the Art House to help shine a spotlight on leading art talents from across the country, it was another example of the family’s vision in connecting the country’s creative stage to a wider, global audience.

All situated within the Jio World Centre, the NMACC presents a platform for the creative community of India like never before. Mrs. Nita Ambani’s vision coming to life brings huge opportunity to the country’s diverse art scene and, with a schedule of exciting events and exhibitions already in place for the foreseeable future, it proposes to become a globally-acclaimed venue. As was witnessed in its opening weekend, the wealth of talent across the country is clear to see and it is an exciting moment in which the world gains a deeper and broader insight into what India has to offer creatively.

“The opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is the realization of a lifelong dream for me and the beginning of a new journey for New India,” Mrs. Ambani concludes. “It has been deeply fulfilling to see the love that people from all over India and around the world have shown for our Cultural Centre. From children to youngsters to senior citizens, the NMACC has welcomed people of all ages and with diverse interests – be it music, dance, art or fashion! I have been at the Cultural Centre daily and it fills me with joy to see people enjoying our spaces, interacting with our exhibits, and soaking in the culture of our great nation. We wanted our Cultural Centre to become home to the arts, the artists, and the audiences, and it is a privilege to see that vision coming to life.”