CWG: India to dazzle at opening ceremony

NEW DELHI: Bright lights, Tree of Knowledge, dancers and singers and the Indian contingent marching past in shimmering red silk sherwanis with Swarovski crystals with the women dressed in kalidar lehenga and corset — the opening ceremony of the Delhi Games 2010 promises to be a blend of eons of culture with the latest in technology and pyrotechnics.

Sources say the opening segment, Swagatam, starts off with a medley of songs by Shibani Kashyap, who has also sung the Shera song. Admits Kashyap, ‘‘ I will perform the warm-up act, with a collection of my popular songs from Zinda and nonfilmy numbers like ho gayi hai mohabbat.’’

Kashyap’s segment, lasting more than 15 minutes, will reportedly be followed by Anand Raaj Anand, to be rounded off with the Shera song. These will be followed by the big acts — by A R Rahman and a host of others like Hariharan , Shankar Mahadevan, Sonal Mansingh, Raja Reddy and several others.

Broken up into multiple segments, it is the light and sound show using the aerostat that could well turn out to be the crowd-pleaser.

The show will have the helium balloon beam a synchronised set of lights based on themes like Gandhi — where old black & white pictures of the freedom fighter will be displayed on the sides of the aerostat — Buddha, the evolution and asanas of yogic science, as well as the prides of India like the world heritage monument Taj Mahal.

Also forming a part of the opening ceremony will be a giant Tree of Knowledge , designed by Madhu Jain and Milind Soman. Made up of unique fabrics, the tree will have 25 panels, put together to create a 110-foot-high , 40-inches wide tree trunk. ‘‘ The tree has been created using a combination of bamboo fibre and silk,’’ reveals Jain. Based on the guru-shishya tradition, the Tree of Knowledge is based on the Chinar from Kashmir, and will be surrounded by 1,000-odd dancers.

Its not just the acts that promise to generate excitement though. The Indian contingent will be dressed up in special sherwanis for the men and a lehenga-corset set for the women. Said Aman Jain of Fairdeal, clothier based in Delhi, ‘‘ Its an Indowestern outfit, with a red half-sherwani and black pants.

Swarovski crystals in the buttons and a sequinned collar and sleeves adds to the shimmering effect, which will look attractive in the evening.’’ Jain, who also has the former president APJ Kalam as a client, says the uniforms have been much appreciated by the athletes.

Designing for the first segment also is the duo Ashima-Leena , who will be dressing 4,000 performers. Says Leena Singh, ‘‘ The costumes have an intricate construction, with fabric sourced from Surat. We have also designed the outfit for Hariharan, who will perform at the ceremony .’’ The duo will also design for the closing ceremony, for the Martial Arts and another segment.

Interestingly, performers will start arriving for the ceremony at 8am onwards, said sources. With over 9,000 performers set to don costumes, make-up and rehearse on Sunday, it looks like the show’s ready to get started.