India has been a centre of art centres for quite a while with collections of theatre, music, dance, folk traditions, performing arts, writings, paintings, rites and rituals, songs, etc. For this, it is also known as the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (ICH) of humanity.
Some of the popular art centres in Mumbai include the Jehangir Art Gallery, Piramal Art Gallery, National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA), Prithvi Theatre, and now the one of its kind multi-disciplinary cultural space – the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre – which was recently opened this year on March 31st, 2023.
https://youtu.be/-oppBZ6kT14
The aim of this center, as spelled out by the chairperson Nita Ambani is that it is “An ode to our nation, the Cultural Centre aims to preserve and promote Indian arts. I hope our spaces nurture and inspire talent, bringing together communities from across India and the globe.”
Nita continues to say “I gifted this artwork to my husband on his birthday,” Ambani tells The National. “It is inscribed with the words ‘Tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye’, which translates as ‘You have been called unto this Earth for me’. These are the lyrics from my favourite song Kabhi Kabhie. My husband would sing this song to me when we were younger.”
Boasting 8,400 Swarovski crystals, the ceiling of the 2000-seat grand theatre is also programmed and illuminated with a special lighting system.
The centre is modeled after the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and features 18 boxes with private lounges and dedicated food and beverage services. It also features a 125-seat cube with a movable stage and seating.
The Grand Theatre features elements from expert craftsmen around the world—including mosaic tiles from Italy, jaali screens from Dubai, sound-absorbing walnut wood from Greece, millwork from Muscat, fabric from Germany, wall coverings from Belgium, and walnut-clad seating from Italy.
In addition to all of this, there is a four-story visual arts space – the Art House which houses public art exhibits and installations.
· Kamal Kunj – One of the largest commissioned Pichwai paintings at 56 feet tall, with depictions of seasonal festivities.
· Closet Quarries I & II – A painting by Reena Kallat using rubber stamps, reflecting the names of craftsmen and symbols seen in Mughal monuments.
· Arboretum I – A work by artist duo Thukral & Tara, comprising illustrations of over 60 floral species from across India.
· Earth’s Whisper – A work by Jagannath Panda around the idea ‘Contribution is Growth’
· Mechanism 12 – A work by Tanya Goel uses pigments from the sites of architectural demolitions in and around Delhi.
· Seekers Paradise – An installation art piece by N.S. Harsha
· Clouds – A 90-piece set of stainless steel structure mirrors by Yahoo Chasm, displayed on the ground.
· City Obscure – Vibha Galhotra’s cityscape of Mumbai takes up an entire wall and is made from leitmotif ghungroos -small ankle bells in Indian culture.
This centre strengthens India’s cultural infrastructure and brings to fruition the best of India and the world in the sphere of arts. Some of the best shows that have taken place here are ‘The Sound Of Music’, timeless Broadway classic ‘West Side Story’, One of the longest-running shows at London’s West End, The Great Indian Musical, Kashmiri folk singer known for her Sufi music – Aabha Hanjura. With more to look forward to in November such as the much loved musical MAMMA MIA, there is a constant stream of events happening here to book your calendar with!
