Swadesh: Nita Ambani's Flagship Store Serves As Tribute To India's Living Craft Heritage

Reliance Foundation founder-chairperson Nita Ambani hosted a high-profile event for her flagship store, Swadesh, which celebrates and honours India’s rich craft heritage.

While the event focused on National Award-winning master artisans, who were publicly lauded by Nita Ambani as the “pride of India”, Swadesh itself features ‘The Master’s Pavilion’ that is an exclusive exhibition showcasing the finest traditional works, including miniature art, elaborate Tanjore painting, and specialised textiles such as Odisha Ikat and Paithani weaves.

The Master’s Pavilion at Swadesh brings together the finest creations of India’s celebrated National Award-winning master artisans—each piece shaped by generations of skill, devotion, and meticulous craft. From

the miniature mastery of Shri Shammi Bannu Sharma and the vibrancy of… pic.twitter.com/N6f2JeRFkW

— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) December 6, 2025

Demonstrating her commitment to the cause, Nita Ambani – who was in an elaborate historic Benarasi sari complemented by antique jewellery passed down in her family – stressed that her store serves as a tribute to the communities preserving India’s living traditions, as well as honours their exceptional skill and devotion toward their ancestral crafts.

WHAT IS SWADESH?

Nita Ambani’s flagship store, Swadesh, located in Mumbai stands as a profound tribute to India’s living craft heritage – a vision highlighted during the event on Friday (December 5).

The special celebration was dedicated to honouring Indian artists and master artisans, reaffirming Swadesh’s commitment to supporting the country’s traditional craftsmanship. The store is a tribute to the craft, culture, and heirloom elegance of India’s timeless artistry.

Central to Swadesh’s mission is ‘The Master’s Pavilion’, an exclusive exhibition showcasing the finest traditional works. It displays the creations of India’s celebrated National Award-winning master artisans, with each piece reflecting generations of skill, devotion, and meticulous craft.

The exhibits reinforce Swadesh’s aim to honour craft traditions in their purest form. Featured works include the exceptional creations of renowned artisans such as Shammi Bannu Sharma, known for miniature art, and V Panneerselvam, a Shilp Guru awardee known for elaborate Tanjore painting.

Specialised textiles are prominently displayed, including the vibrant Odisha Ikat by National Award winner Gunjan Jain, and the work of weaving stalwarts like Padma Shri Biren Basak (renowned for Tangail and Jamdani weaves) and GhanShyam Sarode (a Paithani textile designer).

Nita Ambani publicly lauded the master artisans, calling them the “pride of India and the stars of tonight”. During the event, she spent time viewing the intricate works and interacting with the craftspeople, stressing that the initiative marked a tribute to the communities preserving India’s traditional crafts and techniques.

She personally admired the exceptional works, celebrating the craft excellence that defines Swadesh. Addressing the media, she extended a warm welcome to the National Award-winning artists and artisans who travelled from across India, including Kashmir, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, urging attendees to give them a big round of applause.

Mrs. Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, hosts a special celebration at the Swadesh store at Eros in honour of our artists and artisans.For this special occasion, she is draped in a peacock blue Banarasi saree from Swadesh, showcasing the intricate Meena… pic.twitter.com/AJXFDGWVAQ

— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) December 5, 2025

Nita Ambani, who herself highlighted the importance of celebrating India’s artisans through her attire – a peacock-blue Benarasi sari woven using the historic Kadhua technique – reflected Swadesh’s core vision.