Embraced
by the hicupps and negative reports by the media, press and critics, I
had totally set in my mind that the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi
will be a fultoo mess. But the inaugural ceremony held yesterday at the
Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium really stamped under foot the build-up of scandals.
A
standing salute to the national anthem of India with the tricolor
dancing everywhere and then the inaugural ceremony set off with laser
fireworks shooting upwards filling my heart with thrill and joy. The 40
Crore INR Aerostat balloon was set mount to 25 feet as a display of
Indian art, culture and at the most-technology. It is fitted with
numerous rotating projectors, LEDs and flash lights. 8 big traditional
puppets hung beautifully from it dancing in the evening air with the
beats of 800 drummers from various regions of the nation, including the
Assamese ‘Dhuleeaz’.
Prince Charles, representing Queen Elizabeth, read out loudly, "I
have much pleasure in declaring the 19th Commonwealth Games open".
Supported by the cheers of the 60,000-crowded galleries, it almost
faded away the signal for formal commencement of the games by Pratibha
Patil, President of the Republic of India. She was heard saying, "..as
the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi
are now open.. Let the Games begin..” Some other 3 billion odd
spectators hooked their eyes on their TV and PC screens, thanks to the
Doordarshan cameras and some others. But many were reported blaming the
long commercial breaks between the telecast; infact the first one had
made many believe that there was some glitch on the stadium.
Believed
to be a sign of ‘Shubh Aarambh’, roars of the long trumpets, Dunchen, a
treasure of the Tibetan Buddhists gave out. Conch (Shonkh) blowers
joined them too.
Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, his cabinet colleagues, former President APJ
Abdul Kalam, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, General Secretary Rahul
Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Maldives President
Mohammed Nashid, Prince of Monaco Albert II, Commonwealth Games
Federation President Mike Fennell, Organising Committee Chairman Suresh
Kalmadi and a host of dignitaries were present during the opening of
the sporting extravaganza.
CWG
Federation chief, Mike Fennell and XIX CWG Organizing Committee
chairman, Suresh Kalmadi expressed their views on the games.
The
Queen’s Baton then made its final run round the stadium floor passing
from hands of shooter Abhinav Bindra, badminton star Saina Nehwal,
boxer Vijendar Singh and finally wrestler Sushil Kumar after traversing
through 71 countries. Abhinav then had the honor of taking the oath on
behalf of all the sportsmen as a formal requirement of the games.
There
was also a section dedicated to the great tradition of learning which
unfolded under the Knowledge Tree - a sacred space of Learning -
presenting the Indian Classical dance and music that have been passed
on through the Guru shishya Parampara. The production comprised six
classical dances of India, including Odissi from Orissa, Bharatnatyam
from Tamil Nadu, Kathak from North India, Manipuri from Manipur,
Mohiniattam from Kerala and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh. Each
classical dance represented a season -- Odissi (Spring), Bharatnatyam
(Summer), Kathak (Monsoon), Manipuri (Autumn), Mohiniattam (Fall),
Kuchipudi (Winter).
It
was followed by various dances performed together by special dance
groups from all the states and regions. The aerial view of the dances
reflected various structures and positions. Assam was no exception and
was an attraction with the
110-member troupe, comprising 48 dancers and 62 drummers (dhuliyaas),
led by acclaimed drummer Oja Somnath Bora drawing attention among
viewers. At one time the aerial view showcased the sign of respect in
Indians- the joining of hands-Namashkar.
Soon
1050 school youngsters were seen making parade to the centre, grouping
themselves into 8 rectangular forms and then covering themselves with
white satins. Surprise revealed when the white satins started blooming
pictures of mehendi clad hands.
Worth notable that the helium giant flowing overhead at the center kept on displaying change
of hues, projecting life size revolving images of the action on the
ground. The Nagada drums added to the enjoyment. Keshav, a wonder child
from Ponducherry seemed quite cheered through his beats on his table by
his tiny hands. The musical production of Swagatam, a rendition of a
blend of Hindustani and Carnatic that finally climaxed into a Quawalli,
was performed by Hariharan.
Then pretty girls wrapped in traditional dresses led the atheletes’ chain from the 71 participating countries.
It
was followed by a show of 816 performers’ choreograph that formed the
shape of a sun doing the Suryanmaskar - a series of Yoga postures done
in salutation to the sun. Performers on the center stage also displayed
some of the most complicated asanas. The performers then dramatically
changed the choreography and began to spiral, representing the
kundalini - the coiled energy, an instinctive force that lies at the
base of the spine. A LED display of the spiral energy in a human figure
rose from the center stage.
The
Cheraw dancers from Mizoram did their Bamboo dance gave the Rhythm to
the run of the train. ‘Pung’, a unique Manipuri hand-beaten drum,
enthralled the audience with the Pung Cholom, where the dancers twirls
and jumps mid air culminating into a thunderous climax.
There
was also a segment on Mahatma Gandhi, where the Father of nation was
paid rich tribute through a simplistic, humanistic form, depicted
through sand animation based on the historic moment of the Dandi March
with Mahatma's favourite hymn - Vaishnavo Janato played at the
background.
Folk dancers from various corners of the country also came together to
rejoice and dance in celebration of the message of the Mahatma,
showcasing the ultimate richness in India's folk culture.
The
opening ceremony finally culminated with the rendition of Oscar winning
music composer AR Rahman's CWG 2010 Anthem -- Jeeyo, Utho, Badho, Jeeto
(Live, Rise, Move, Win) -- to inspire all the athletes to give them the
push to victory.
A giant figure of Lord Buddha was created and rose up from the centre stage to rise up to the canopy.
The stadium reverberated with Rahman's Games theme song "Yaaro, India
Bula Liya" and his famous "Jai Ho" number from his Oscar-winning "
Slumdog Millionaire" album, in the midst of a spectacular fireworks
display, before the curtains came down on the spectacular ceremony.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with a well promise of hosting. About 6000 atheletes will chance their luck in the 19th edition of the games that will continue for the next few days.
“Being an Indian, I wish luck to the Indian atheletes and hope for overall success of the Commonwealth Games. Jai Hind!”
Report prepared with inputs from 'The Times of India' and 'The Telegraph'
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