Industry, home or passion, Asia’s richest family, the Ambanis of Reliance Industries, don’t do anything half-baked or sans majesty. The A in Ambani could indeed stand for affluence, not just financial but also artistic and ridden with passion. Nearly three times richer than Asia’s second richest Robert Budi Hartono, Mukesh Ambani’s better half Nita didn’t spare any expense in breathing life and luxury into her lifelong dream – the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). With this multi-disciplinary cultural and exhibition space located in the heart of Mumbai City, the philanthropist and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, aims to create solidarity, encourage imagination, and welcome divergence.
The opening of the already iconic and path-breaking Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre was a star-studded affair that brought the upper crust from different walks of life into one room. The glitterati that attended were so remarkable they could undoubtedly rival the theatre’s 8,400 Swarovski diamond studded ceiling. Don’t allow your jaw to drop just yet; there is plenty to blow your mind-
NMACC is home to three performing arts spaces –
Spread across 52,627 square feet, Richard Gluckman-designed NMACC comprises a four-story art house and three main areas, the Grand Theatre, Studio Theatre, and The Cube. The Grand Theatre is rightfully dubbed the most technologically advanced theatre in India. It has a massive 2,000-seat space across three levels, 18 boxes for better visuals, 8,400 Swarovski crystals embedded in its ceiling, and the best acoustic system available worldwide.
There is no better venue to host major traveling productions; however, the Studio Theatre is apt for more intimate art performances with a telescopic seating system accommodating 250. The technologically-advanced soundproof studio boasts a world-class integrated Dolby Atmos Surround Sound System. Other facilities include video recording and a tension wire grid for rigging and lighting, said to be the first of its kind in India.
The Cube is even smaller, offering a seating capacity of 125. With a movable stage, a Panasonic Laser projection system, 5G connectivity, a Listening system, and video recording, The Cube is ideal for hosting experimental theatrical acts.
NMACC showcases breathtaking installations and exhibits –
Art House in NMACC is an expansive, four-story art complex with 16,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The vibrant area displays the esteemed work of Indian and international artists. From Jagannath Panda to Tanya Goel to a 56 feet Pichwai painting, Kamal Kunj, art enthusiasts are in for a real treat. Art lovers will be enthralled by the work of Yayoi Kusama, displayed on the ground- Clouds, a 90-piece set of stainless steel structure mirrors.
The ‘Indian in Fashion’ exhibit is a poem in fabric-
This incubator of talent, the NMACC, houses some iconic examples from the fashion world. Isha Ambani’s golden lehenga, designed by Italian designer Maison Valentino, can be viewed in all its glory at the NMACC. It is known as the only lehenga designed by the luxury label that declared it would never create another one. India in Fashion is the first of its kind, with costumes from all over the world. Curated by Hamish Bowles, global editor-at-large for Vogue, the exhibition showcases pioneering Indian designers like Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Anamika Khanna, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Sanjay Garg, and Tarun Tahiliani.
The homegrown talent is matched with international counterparts like Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Gabrielle’ Coco’ Chanel, Jean-Philippe Worth, Mainbocher, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Who is Nita Ambani?
59-year-old Nita Ambani is the chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, and a director of Reliance Industries. Her penchant for art has added another feather to her couture hat- The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. She stated, “The time has come to mark a new beginning for our longstanding commitment to art and culture. With immense joy, I am delighted to present to you the realization of a life-long dream – the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. The NMACC is a space that hopes to bind the community through the common thread of the arts. It is a tribute to India’s glorious legacy, traditions, and heritage.”
Ambani continued, “For the last few years, my daughter Isha and I along with our team have immersed ourselves in this dream project. The NMACC is envisioned as a platform to spotlight Indian arts and culture at its best, both for the audience and the artists. A truly inclusive center for performers and visitors, for dreamers and creators, for one and all.
With world-class infrastructure and robust programming, our aim is to make the arts accessible to everyone.” The Ambani matriarch is worth nearly $40 billion herself and is known to have a taste for the finer things in life. From strutting in Hermes Birkin to gifting her beloved daughter-in-law the $55 million L’Incomparable, the first lady of Indian business doesn’t shy away from spending her money and the NMACC is proof.
