| How the West Was Won... Over! Say what you will, but the opening ceremony of the Nita and Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) has left the world gawking at its sheer opulence and grandeur. One might even suggest that it would put The Phantom of the Opera's lavish sets and costumes to shame! The high and the mighty, the young and old, families, couples and solos — the gala saw the crème de la crème of Bollywood and Hollywood, including current Spiderman Tom Holland, actor-singer Zendaya, Penelope Cruz, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone... you name it. But at the end of the two-day ceremony, it did end up registering India’s place as a fast-emerging leader in the world of culture and entertainment.  In an opening ceremony of a fitting stature, Zendaya, (or 'Jhandeya' as the adorable Indian paparazzi addressed the Euphoria star) stole the show with her stunning cerulean saree. A part of designer Rahul Mishra’s Cosmos collection, the 3-D embroidered saree along with the golden blouse will set the buyer back by ₹3,89,000. And if you thought that much money could fund half a decade’s worth of wedding shopping, get this — the actor-singer elevated her starry ensemble with about ₹4,00,000 worth of Italian jewellery from Bulgari. Because when you're at an event as grand as this, why not go all out? When you're attending the opening of a colossus that boasts a 270-degree view of the Arabian Sea, you can't just show up in any old rag, can you? What also captivates one about the NMACC is undoubtedly the Diamond Studded Hall. A seating capacity of 2,000 and decked with real diamonds (yes, real ones), it is increasingly being deemed an epitome of luxury and opulence. It has been widely suggested that will be the envy of cultural centres around the world (which is also enough to fuel my own envy about the elite first entrants into its premises). The NMACC also features a state-of-the-art auditorium, an art gallery and a museum showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India: vintage textile embellishments, stunning exhibits and what have you. Even Sonam Kapoor Ahuja gave a tour of it on Instagram. And should you want to take some of the opulence back, part with some of your riches at the on-site luxury boutiques that offer both high-end fashion and exquisite jewellery. On another note, I felt the hilarious gaffes made by Indian paps that were shared on social media like crazy, were a beautiful reminder of India’s cultural and linguistic diversity — how we could bring the world home and address it in our multifarious ways. How we could assign our own monikers to some of Hollywood’s most magnificent men and women and not bat an eye. So, Tom Holland became “Tomye” and “Homecoming Tom”. Nick Jonas turned “Nickwa” and “Nick Jiju”. Supermodel Gigi Hadid got mistaken for Shakira and then became “Jeejee”. This umpteenth reminder of desi paps’ delightful eccentricities and bumbling selves serves as a reminder of the country’s unapologetic emergence as a global cultural powerhouse. Like always, this extravagance drew detractors and critics too. Visitors were put in different slots (I missed all of them, not that the grapes are sour for me). But the fact of the matter is, if you had the means, wouldn't you want to create a cultural hub that would make the rest of the world swoon? And if Radhika Merchant wants to carry a mini bag worth ₹52 lakh, who are we to judge? The country has long been viewed through the lens of poverty and the Slumdog Millionaire stereotype. In light of that, this grand launch is expected go a long way in shifting that perception and showcasing our vibrant culture and potential to be a world leader in entertainment. From vibrant colours, mesmerising music and dance performances and delightful red-carpet moments that we will remember for some time to come — the opening ceremony was a celebration of Indianness. The Nita Ambani Culture Centre, it’s safe to say, is now a symbol of India's growing cultural and economic muscle, not to mention a testament to the Ambanis' commitment to promoting Indian art and culture. Move over, Tate Modern, there's a new kid on the block. Tarot |
