WAVES 2025: Here's a full text of Nita Ambani's keynote address on 'Taking Indian Culture to the World'

It is an absolute joy and privilege to be here with all of you today. This is the first WAVES Summit and it has already created a storm all around! It has brought together the most vibrant creative voices from more than 100 countries on a common stage.

My gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra bhai Modiji for his incredible vision for this Summit, and for his consistent, unparalleled leadership in taking India and Indian culture to the world.

This Summit is a powerful reminder of who we are – and who we have always been. I speak to you as a proud citizen of our ancient land. And the theme of my keynote is 'TAKING INDIA TO THE WORLD'.

Long before the birth of the Internet or even cinema, the influence of Indian culture had already spread across the globe. Taking India to the World is not a new concept or a new idea. The light of India has travelled far and wide for thousands of years. Hundreds of Buddhist monks from all over the world travelled on foot to India in ancient times in search of cultural and spiritual knowledge. In Japan and Indonesia, Hindu deities like Laxmi, Saraswati, Shiva, Ram, and Ganesh are worshipped even today.

The splendor of India’s temple architecture can be seen in Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur (बोरोबुदुर) in Indonesia, and the ruins of Chaam (चााम) temples in Vietnam. Indian philosophy left a deep imprint on some of the greatest thinkers and philosophers of the world. We are a country enriched by the wisdom of its civilization, but equally energized by the throbbing energy of the world’s youngest population. A country where sacred traditions meet modern dynamism in perfect harmony. Where the rising power of our economy, soon to be the third largest in the world, meets our soaring global soft power.

We are a timeless civilization. That gifted humanity the enduring ideals of Satya, Ahimsa, Ekta, and Aman – Truth, Non-Violence, Unity, and Peace. A luminous nation. That gave the world the wisdom of the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, and the teachings of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Bharat is where it all began.

India is the origin of OM – the sound of the birth of our universe. The birthplace of Shunya, Zero – the beginning of the infinite. The home of Sanskrit – that gave the world language. The land of Yoga and Ayurved. The pioneer in science and philosophy – from Aryabhatt’s astronomical calculations to Adi Shankaracharya’s Advait Vedanta. The beacon of arts and literature – from our classical music and dance forms to the epics Ramayan and Mahabharat.

WE are the very cradle of civilization. A cultural force whose time has come – once again. Every civilization tells a story. Some tell it with power and might. But we have always told our stories with our soul.

For over 5000 years - from our kathavachaks to the travelling bards; from our legendary folklore to temple murals; and from our epics to present day cinema – storytelling has always been the heartbeat of our legacy. In the modern age, India’s magnificent heritage and the soft power of our theatre, dance, music, cinema, writers, artists, and artisans have won the hearts and minds of people in all continents and corners of the globe.

Friends,

Like all Indians, we at Reliance Foundation are great admirers, ardent supporters, and passionate lovers of art; and we deeply believe in the power of our culture to heal, inspire, and unite. At the Foundation, we regard it to be our highest duty to protect, preserve, revive, and honour India’s priceless artistic legacy.

It is with this spirit that we started the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre two years ago. Our vision is to showcase the best of India to the world & bring the best of the world to India. With the same vision, we started Swadesh – our humble movement to encourage and promote India’s age-old arts and crafts on the global stage. Swadesh honours our traditional artisans, who have learnt at the feet of their fathers and grandfathers; and whose every weave, every carving, every brush carries not just the touch of the hand, but the memory of centuries.

For instance, the Indian saree, which is one of the fondest expressions of our tradition. Today, our timeless nine yards are weaving the India story across fashion runways. Woven by our weavers with love and worn by our women with pride wherever in the world they are…

From Mother Teresa to India’s Missile Woman Dr. Tessy Thomas to our Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, our lawyers to journalists, and from astronauts to changemakers – all wear it as an ode to a legacy that has been passed down over thousands of years, from their mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers!

That is the magic of our Culture – it evolves without erasing. In most parts of the world, culture is something to be preserved. But in India, it is something we live every day. For us, it is not a memory frozen in time, it is our living reality. It flows like our rivers and breathes like our forests.

Here in India, the modern does not compete with the ancient, it co-exists, in perfect harmony. And this is what Indian culture sets us apart. Our ability to hold contradictions with grace. To honour tradition and welcome transitions and transformation. To cherish our similarities and celebrate our differences.

For centuries, India has gifted the world its wisdom, its beauty, and its soul. Somewhere along the way, our voice softened. But now, it is rising again. And for that, we owe deep gratitude to our Prime Minister Modiji, whose unwavering vision and leadership have reignited India’s voice on the world stage with pride and purpose.

From Yoga to Chandrayaan, from digital inclusion to cultural diplomacy, from G20 to WAVES – today, India’s spirit is inspiring the world like never before. And young Indians are answering the call – embracing our roots, carrying our spirit, and making India proud on the world stage. From sports fields to concert halls, from fashion houses to global kitchens and international dance festivals.

In spite of living away from India, young global icons like Anoushka Shankar and Rishabh Sharma in music, Vikas Khanna in cuisine, or Priyanka Chopra in cinema are holding the spirit of India dear to their hearts and spreading the message of Indianness around the world.

This, my friends, is not the beginning of something new. It is our very foundation.

And that is why, I am happy to share that this September, with great joy and pride, we are taking Indian Culture to the World. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre will proudly present a grand Indian weekend at the iconic Lincoln Center in New York. We will spotlight the soul of India in all its glory – our arts and artisans, our weaves and weavers, our songs and dances, and our fashion and food!

Friends,

Standing here at WAVES, among creators, thinkers, dreamers, and designers — I speak as a fellow dreamer, a passionate artist, and an eternal believer in the power of our culture. I speak to every artist, animator, writer, designer, playwright, musician, filmmaker, or policymaker…I speak to you as the storytellers of India’s tomorrow, as modern ambassadors of India’s heritage. And I want to remind you: You are not just telling the story. YOU ARE THE STORY. You are the CUSTODIANS OF INDIA’S SOUL.

The time has come for our culture not just to inspire the world but also transform it and make it a better place to live in for all humanity. I’m sure that in the near future:

Indian Crafts will shape Global Aesthetics, Indian Ayurved will shape Global Healing, Indian Spirituality will shape Global Well-being, and Indian Story-telling will shape Global Imagination.

Let our Amar Chitra Kathas be the world’s next Harry Potters, let our epics Ramayan and Mahabharat light up the silver screens of the world, let our classical dances sparkle on the grandest of global stages, let our stories inspire generations to come.

Because, friends, culture is not just a reflection of who we are; it’s a powerful tool to shape who we become.

In a world building virtual reality, let us also embrace spiritual reality. In a world obsessed with speed, let us also remember the value of stillness. In a world racing towards AI, Artificial Intelligence,

Let us not lose the wisdom of the original AI, Ancient Intelligence.

Imagine a world that combines the innovation of Artificial Intelligence with the intuition of Ancient Intelligence….A world where data is driven by dharma…Where our choices are led by our collective conscience…Where progress is defined not just by power, but by purpose…And where intelligence is not just artificial, but awakened…in service of humanity.

Today, empowered by digital technology and strengthened by global partnerships, we stand at a moment unlike any before — a moment where Indian culture can shine on the world stage not just in fragments, but in its full grandeur.

And in doing so, we offer the world a gift. A gift for our children – a world that they will not just inherit, but cherish, for generations to come. That world is calling on India now. On our stories. Our soul. Our spirit. Our spirituality. And our sanskriti.

So let us all rise — not only to honour the glories of our past, but to ignite the promise of our future. Let us step forward — as the torchbearers of a timeless civilization, walking the path of courage and conviction.

Let us carry the force of our eternal values and enduring culture: A force that brings light where there is darkness. That gives hope where there is fear. That binds humanity together when the world feels broken apart. This is our moment. Let’s seize it together; with grace, and with wisdom.

Dhanyawaad. Jai Hind.

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(Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.)