India’s bringing the drama, the dhun, and the dhokla.
This September 12 to 14, the city that never sleeps will be wide awake for “NMACC India in New York”, a three-day cultural bonanza at Lincoln Center that promises to turn the Big Apple into a big fat Indian celebration. Orchestrated by the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), this marks the Centre’s first international showcase, and it's landing in true Bollywood-meets-Broadway style.
🎭 Culture, Couture & Curry: Lincoln Center Goes Desi
Taking over the iconic David H. Koch Theater and Damrosch Park, the event will feature everything from majestic musicals to yoga, folk art to fusion food, and yes—even a surprise dance performance by Nita Ambani herself (rumour has it she might just outshine the pros).
The weekend’s centrepiece? The U.S. premiere of “The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation,” directed by theatre titan Feroz Abbas Khan. A sweeping, spectacular journey from the Indus Valley to Independence, it stars over 100 performers, costumes by Manish Malhotra, footwork by Vaibhavi Merchant, and a goosebump-inducing score by Ajay–Atul. Think Broadway-level spectacle—with a bindi.
💃 The Swagat Gala: Sitar, Sequins & Star Power
Opening night kicks off with the ultra-exclusive Swagat Gala at Damrosch Park. Imagine this: Indian classical musicians tuning up under the stars, while Manish Malhotra sends models gliding down a runway draped in handloom masterpieces from India’s rich artisan traditions. Add to that a Michelin-starred dinner by Chef Vikas Khanna, and you’ve got a gala that screams maha-maximum glamour.
🛍️ Grand Indian Bazaar: Henna, Handicrafts & Harmoniums
But it’s not all velvet ropes and VIPs. The Grand Indian Bazaar, free and open to the public, will transform Lincoln Center into a festive Indian marketplace.
Expect:
- Yoga sessions with Eddie Stern (mats optional, inner peace guaranteed)
- Bollywood dance workshops led by Shiamak Davar’s high-energy crew
- Live performances by legends like Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Parthiv Gohil, and Rishab Sharma
- Stalls brimming with handcrafted textiles, jewelry, pottery, and Ayurvedic goodies
- Panel chats on Indian cinema, cricket, and classical arts—because yes, we can talk Kohli and Kalidasa in the same breath
🌍 India Goes Global
More than just a cultural showcase, NMACC India in New York is a soft-power sledgehammer—India’s answer to K-culture and Kabuki cool. As Nita Ambani, who began her own journey as a Bharatnatyam dancer, puts it:
“Culture builds empathy and bridges nations.”
And bridge it will. With art, dance, dialogue, and dosa.
Event Details
📅 When: September 12–14, 2025
📍 Where: David H. Koch Theater & Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, NYC
🎟️ Tickets: On sale end of June 2025
💸 Admission: Select events (Bazaar, workshops) are free and fabulous
Mark your calendars. This fall, India’s taking Manhattan—and it’s bringing the tabla, tikka, and theatrical thunder.