Eighteen world-class visionaries, diplomats, artists, and industry pioneers lend their prestige and expertise to the most ambitious Indian-American awards platform in history.
EVENT DATE: Sunday, September 6, 2026 VENUE: David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC RELEASE: April 2026
NEW YORK, NY — The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards (AHOFA), set to make its historic world premiere on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the iconic David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City — today proudly announces the formation of its prestigious Advisory Council. Composed of eighteen accomplished, real-world visionaries recognized for proven excellence and the power to create significant global impact, the AHOFA Advisory Council is a uniquely credible and powerful guiding force for this landmark platform.
“The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards is far more than an event — it is the birth of a global institution. For the first time, we are bringing together icons, leaders, and visionaries from across the world on one stage in a way that has never been done before.”
— KAMAL DANDONA, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN, AMARA HALL OF FAME AWARDS
A Council of Extraordinary Global Achievers
The eighteen members of the AHOFA Advisory Council represent a constellation of global achievement that spans six continents and every major field of human endeavor. Their collective influence encompasses Indian cinema, theatre, music, visual art, diplomacy, finance, wellness, architecture, law, and entertainment — making this Advisory Council one of the most diverse and distinguished bodies ever assembled for a cultural awards platform.
Among the council’s distinguished members are Aroon Shivdasani, Founder of the Indo-American Arts Council and Emmy Awards Juror; Kirron Kher, the celebrated actress, theatre icon, and civic leader admired across Indian cinema and public life; and Rohan Marley, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and son of the legendary Bob Marley, whose presence signals the event’s global cultural reach far beyond the Indian diaspora.
The council further includes Falguni Shah, Grammy Award winner and four-time Grammy nominee who has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall; Gautam Patwa, IIT Bombay and NYU Stern-trained global financial advisor and wealth strategist trusted by clients across continents; Rajan Pillai, Esq., Harvard Law valedictorian, Nobel Prize-linked rare earths pioneer, and IPO specialist; and Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, Cambridge doctorate holder, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the UN and China, and a distinguished international legal expert.
Visual art and architecture are represented by Natvar Bhavsar, whose work has been showcased at the Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and Neeta Sinha, the world’s first Astro Architect, trusted by Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Virat Kohli, and many more. The entertainment industry is further represented by Shubir Mukerji, Chairman of Filmalaya Studios and heir to Bollywood’s most legendary dynasty, and Nick Rajsakha, Producer and CEO of EEG Talent, who drives cross-cultural collaborations and leads hospitality ventures across North America.
Jason Goldstein, Grammy-winning audio engineer behind chart-topping recordings for Beyoncé, David Bowie, and Jennifer Lopez, brings the world of music production to the council alongside Raj Shahani, celebrated sculptor whose work blends Indian cultural motifs with contemporary expression at global art centres including the Jehangir Art Gallery, New York. Neha Lohia, award-winning filmmaker, VR director, and former AVP at 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures, and Rita K. Mehta, Dubai’s influential voice behind luxury, celebrity, and global influence as founder of the iconic Ciné Blitz magazine, further expand the council’s global reach.
A Historic Debut at Lincoln Center, New York
The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards makes its world premiere on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the iconic David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City — marking the first time in history that an Indian and Indo-U.S.-centric awards platform of this scale and stature will be presented at such a prestigious venue. Further announcements covering attending icons, performers, sponsors, and honorees will follow in subsequent press releases. Media accreditation requests and sponsorship inquiries are now being accepted at info@ahofa.com.
About the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards
The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards (AHOFA) is a prestigious celebration dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of the global Indian diaspora (NRIs) as well as international leaders with strong ties to India and its worldwide community. From the creators of globally acclaimed international award platforms that have celebrated icons across film, music, and fashion, AHOFA represents decades of proven excellence in world-class global event production.
Media Contact: info@ahofa.com | Website: www.ahofa.com | Social: @AmaraAwards (Instagram & Facebook)
