In a dazzling celebration of love, culture, and tradition, the much-anticipated wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai has become a landmark social event. To add a regal touch to this grand occasion, Indian music icon Niladri Kumar was called upon to create an iconic performance, giving a royal tribute to Indian culture, during the blessing ceremony for the newlyweds, July 13, 2024, in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Niladri Kumar’s Sound of India, a magnum opus presentation, featured artists like Rahul Sharma on the santoor, Naveen Kumar with the flute, Rajesh Vaidhya with the veena, Sridar Parthasarathy with the mridangam and Satyajit Talwalkar on the table, along with a 60-piece orchestra conducted and led by Ajay-Atul.
This performance, which was the musical highlight of the July 13 ceremony, had the maestro blending north and south traditions along with enthralling music where audiences witnessed his mastery of the sitar and zitar and the exceptional talent of the featured musicians - all presented live. The specially-curated rendition of the iconic bhajan, Raghupati Raghav witnessed by the Prime Minister, made the opulent Vaikunth Lok setting come alive. The magnum opus resonated deeply with the attendees, reflecting the timeless beauty of Indian music and its powerful impact which makes it stand unique.
At the occasion, Niladri Kumar said, “Nitaji wanted to create Vaikunth Lok, and in the darbar of Vaikunth, I was asked to create something memorable and iconic with Indian music and musicians, to showcase the glory of our royal music legacy. It was a true honour being able to offer Sound of India along with our country’s spectacular musicians at such a grand celebration. With the Prime Minister seeing it along with these esteemed guests, I feel blessed to be part of this Shubh Aashirvaad ceremony. I too am grateful to have received blessings through the music. My journey has always been to expand the horizons and the reach of Indian music to varied audiences and this was truly an occasion to amplify that.”
The illustrious event drew an array of high-profile guests from around the world, creating an atmosphere of international camaraderie and cultural unity. Among the distinguished attendees were two Shankaracharyas, former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant not only marks a significant personal milestone for the couple but also serves as a testament to the power of cultural celebration and unity. With Prime Minister Modi and other global leaders in attendance, the event underscores India’s growing influence on the world stage, blending tradition with modernity in a spectacular fashion.
