Playbill has partnered with Inspired to create and amplify stories of inspiration that advocate for access to arts and cultural experiences for young people across the country. The following article is written by the team at Situation Project and adapted from their online publication Inspired. Click here to learn more.

This September 12–14, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) will present The Grand Indian Festival at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, introducing New Yorkers to a vibrant celebration of India’s classical and contemporary culture.

Rooted in Founder & Chairperson Mrs. Nita Ambani’s vision of democratizing art and making it accessible to all, NMACC’s first major international initiative is designed to showcase Indian creativity as both timeless and forward-looking.

At NMACC, Indian art is a dialogue between tradition and contemporary innovation. The goal is for guests to connect with India’s rich cultural narratives, feel the emotional and sensorial power of its art forms, and see India not as a static cultural past but as a thriving, forward-looking creative force shaping global conversations.

Reimagining Scale at Damrosch Park

While the Cultural Centre’s state-of-the-art campus in Mumbai houses world-class indoor venues, Damrosch Park offers an outdoor setting that invites fresh opportunities for connection.

The festival is designed to maximize interactivity, multisensory impact, and accessibility. It’s about creating powerful moments that carry the energy of NMACC’s programming while celebrating the communal spirit of New York.

The NMACC India Weekend blends performances, workshops, and interactive activities, inviting audiences of all ages to immerse themselves in India’s rich traditions and contemporary expressions.

Classical Roots, Contemporary Futures

Highlights of the Grand Indian Festival at the Damrosch Park include yoga with renowned educator Eddie Stern; devotional chanting by Pratish Mhaske of the Art of Living Foundation; Hindustani classical music by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma; folk dance by Parthiv Gohil; and Bollywood dance workshops led by the legendary Shiamak Davar.

Adding to the diversity of programming is culinary storytelling by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, a conversation with spiritual leader Shri Gaur Gopal Das, and electrifying concerts from Grammy-winner Shankar Mahadevan, the exemplary AP Dhillon, and more.

The centerpiece of the weekend is the U.S. premiere of India’s largest theatrical production, The Great Indian Musical: Civilization to Nation, staged at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’s David H. Koch Theatre. Conceived, written, and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, the production journeys through India’s cultural story from ancient civilization to modern nationhood.

A Collective and Inclusive Celebration

From cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma on a special sports panel, to dynamic DJ sets by Sumit Shenoy, the festival reflects India’s cultural plurality.

This ethos extends to youth engagement. Through a partnership with Situation Project, NMACC India Weekend will welcome New York City students to attend workshops and performances throughout the weekend, ensuring the festival serves as a platform for inclusion and inspiration.

Building a Global Cultural Dialogue

While the Cultural Centre’s Mumbai home has hosted everything from Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room to international productions like The Phantom of the Opera, its vision has always been to showcase the best of India and the world.

Partnering with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts amplifies the mission to connect Indian and global arts communities through a cultural platform. For artists, it opens new pathways of collaboration. For audiences, it offers greater access to Indian creativity. And for Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, it affirms the role as a global cultural hub.