Asia Society to Honor Kiran Nadar at Annual Awards Gala
Asia Society is set to recognize Kiran Nadar, a prominent figure in the Indian art scene, at its 12th Annual Asia Game Changers Awards Gala on October 15, 2025. The event will take place at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. Nadar is renowned for her significant contributions to the global appreciation of Indian Modern and Contemporary art through the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), which she established in 2010 as a platform to promote and showcase the nation’s artistic heritage.
Recognized Contributions to Indian Art
Nadar, who resides in Delhi with her husband, Shiv Nadar, has built a collection that boasts over 15,000 artworks, reflecting the diversity and evolution of Indian art. Under her leadership, the KNMA has implemented outreach initiatives aimed at fostering a love for museums among young people in India. A press release from Asia Society highlighted her successful partnerships with prestigious institutions like the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the visibility of Indian art on the global stage.
Leadership in Cultural Initiatives
Additionally, Nadar played a pivotal role in organizing the India Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, a collaboration with several cultural organizations. She is also a member of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA). The KNMA is gearing up to unveil a new, innovative building near Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, designed to serve as a major cultural center for visual arts, music, dance, and theater, covering an impressive 100,000 square meters.
Bridging Cultures Through Art and Sports
This upcoming facility is expected to host a variety of exhibitions and performances, aiming to attract a global audience due to its strategic location along National Highway (NH8). Beyond her contributions to art, Nadar is an accomplished Bridge player, having represented India at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games where she won a Bronze medal in the mixed team category. She has also led the “Formidables” team to victory at the Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championships in 2018, securing a gold medal for India after a 12-year gap.
Philanthropic Efforts and Recognition
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Nadar shares her husband’s philanthropic vision. Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL, has made significant investments through the Shiv Nadar Foundation to foster transformative education, including the establishment of private engineering colleges and VidyaGyan schools aimed at underprivileged students in Uttar Pradesh and the greater Delhi area. Kiran Nadar is also involved with the Rasaja Foundation, focusing on educational initiatives for marginalized groups in India.
Her accolades include the Padma Shri from the Indian government and the CSP Hero’s Award from the Australian High Commissioner for her role in strengthening India-Australia relations. In 2023, she received the prestigious “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur,” France’s highest civilian honor. Furthermore, she has been listed among the top 100 influential figures in the contemporary art scene by ArtReview and recognized by Artnews as one of the Top 200 Collectors. Forbes Asia Magazine honored her as a ‘hero of philanthropy’ in 2010, acknowledging her establishment of India’s inaugural philanthropic private museum for modern and contemporary art.
