CWG 2010 opening ceremony was the most majestic event of my life. This sentence is truly an understatement to an incredibly true experience of a dream world that India has been able to put before the world. I am compelled to write about this sensational and thought changing night for its sheer magnificence.
To start with, I was very lethargic and unwilling to attend it. I was put off by the prospect of failure of event, test of patience in queue, and physical fatigue. I was literally forced by my friend to attend it and I cannot thank him more to make me attend this great opening ceremony. The expectations were low as media was slamming each and every thing related to CWG 2010. I also believed in them. But my friend who is incidentally working as project officer in these games told me that it is going to one of those great nights that I will enjoy. Well, it was not just enjoyment; I was bowled over by the event.
We reached our seats with stoic determination after facing huge crowd in newly opened metro line and long queues at entrance gate and at security checks. As nothing was unexpected, it is fair to say that it was partly easy to go through the tough part.
As soon as I entered the stadium, I was mockingly asking myself why all these spectators have gathered to watch this event. It was full to the limit. There were cheers going on for dignitaries entering the stadium. Some of the loudest cheers were reserved for our respected and loved former president, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The atmosphere inside stadium was very jovial and anticipatory. Everyone was waiting for things to get moving. It started with a sense of pride with National Anthem.
The event started dot on time. The over-publicized balloon started to ascend in the sky. For a moment I thought it will fly away from stadium. I know I was dumb in thinking that. It was stationed after ascending to roof level of stadium. It looked great but somehow I was still not sure about what to expect from the opening ceremony.
The show was underway; there was not much time to think more on that issue of expectation. The drummers came in huge number and put their various styles of drums before the world in 'Rhythm of India' act. The beats were as diverse as India as a country is. It was sounding rejoicing. Subsequently, it started to make an impression on my mind. I was going with the flow. I started to get involved with the proceedings. The light projections and effects were adding to the festivities.
As the drummers left the stadium, a film of 'Incredible India' was projected on the balloon. I can only say that it was heartening to watch it and I am inspired to travel to different parts of our richly diverse & proud country. While I was contemplating where to head first for my vacation, hundreds of students started to move in the stadium wearing skin colored clothing to welcome all with a 'Namaskar' formation. There was a sweet surprise with this act. A seven year old boy became the toast of the crowd when he played superb tabla and added that extra scintillating touch to welcome note. It was an act of accepting and embracing the athletes and all visitors with wholeheartedness. The highlight of the act was painting of ‘palm’ shape by students on large piece of cloth which was covering them from above. It was beautifully done. Those students really must have undergone some lengthy but enjoyable training sessions and it was there for all to see and appreciate.
Meanwhile, the crowd at stadium started to unify rhythmically and patriotically. Athletes started to move in. Australia was the first country to come and was followed by all other participating territories and countries. There were so many countries/territories such as Selize that I had never heard before that night. The crowd applauded all the participants but was especially vocal for Pakistan contingent. The Indian contingent was the last to enter the stadium and understandably the home crowd gave its best wishes and support in the most deafening way. The athletes were having a great time and started to settle down in their seats.
It was time for some speeches from dignitaries and formal opening of CWG 2010 that included final lap of baton by Sushil Kumar and handing it over to Prince Charles. It was interesting to notice that Sushil was chewing gum while handing over the baton to the royal Prince. Kalmadi was booed by the crowd and Yes, there was this message given to Prince Charles that India is independent now by chanting India, India as soon as he got up to deliver his speech.
With this, the ‘tree of knowledge’ act started. It was amazingly beautiful and creative setup. The balloon was like the top of tree with pieces of clothes used as trunk of the tree. The light effect gave it a look right out of James Cameroon’s epic movie ‘Avatar’. Just imagine its splendor. It was just awesome. The act included various dances from different part of our country. There are so many. Emphatically, there are seriously so many forms of dance in India and they were as colorful as rainbow.
The crowd was still clapping for ‘tree of knowledge’ when thousands of school kids started to move in to give ‘Yoga’ lesson to the world. They showed a few yoga exercises before a Buddha shaped emerged from the stage and moved up towards the balloon. The audience was completely silent and was in awe when different elements (ohm) sacred to the yoga inched towards the brain of the Buddha shape. The act hypnotized the crowd. It was magical.
We were still trying to come out of that magical world, when the ‘Great Indian Journey’ bandwagon started pouring in the stadium. The crowd termed it as ‘chaiyan chaiyan’ train act. It showcased the true India in front of the world without any embarrassment. There were bollywood actors singing on top of train, cycle ridden with gas cylinder, rickshaw with watermelon seller, politicians giving speeches, police after thieves, tea seller, and so many. It was as messed up as India is in reality. This act not only showcased creativity but also answered so many critics of India who were saying India was trying to hide its poor. It was an Indian juggernaut, an unbelievable parallel.
It was enough to make it a memorable night. But India was not done. It takes time to showcase the oldest culture of the world. It was time to stamp Indian glory across the globe. The next act just brought the house on patriotic frequency. A group of artists made a sand painting of ‘Mahatma’ of the world. The whole stadium and I am sure the whole world must have saluted the true believer of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, when a bespectacled cutout emerged out of stage. There was mystic ‘vaishnav janto’ music in the background. It was spellbinding.
With this act, it was time for Oscar winning A.R. Rahman to enchant a patriotically charged up crowd. The crowd cheered to every word of his act. It was a fitting end to the opening ceremony with Jiyo utho bado jito and Jai ho. All were feeling proud to be Indian that day. It was not just me but the whole stadium that was praising the whole night. The athletes from different parts of the world also embraced India with pure ecstatic dancing with the acts. There were continuous flashes from the athletes' cordon to capture the unforgettable moments. Everyone loved that night.
It was just stupendous effort. Bravo! India.
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