09 April,2011 06:14 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
If yesterday's grand opening ceremony is any indication, IPL's season-IV promises to be yet another...
It was a monumental challenge for the Indian Premier League's (IPL) organisers to battle spectator fatigue after an exhausting 43-day World Cup. The inaugural ceremony was essential in brushing aside qualms that the World Cup hangover would affect the excitement of the IPL.
The ceremony lived up to its expectations. If anything, the vocal chords of Chennai's crowd were even more responsive than when India played the West Indies here on March 20. Most of them had surprisingly arrived at the ground almost four hours before the 8 pm fixture.
Performers create a formation of the tricolour
Acrobatic dancers keep the audience on their toes
Body-painted artistes stage a colourful act
The captains, who entered the dais to sign the Spirit of Cricket banner, looked as passionate as they did during previous three seasons -- testimonial to the stakes on offer. Sachin Tendulkar being introduced as 'The Boss' prompted a huge roar. But the speeches of IPL chairman Chirayu Amin and BCCI president Shashank Manohar lacked the passion of that of former chairman Lalit Modi.
The organisers left no stone unturned in taking advantage of the World Cup triumph, as Manohar proclaimed the IPL was a stage for youngsters to break into the Indian side. "It gives youngsters the chance to rub shoulders with international stars and earn a place in the India side. The last IPL saw breakthrough performances from youngsters and we are hoping for fresh talent emerging from this edition," he said.
The biggest pops were heard for Kollywood actress Shriya Saran who danced to the famous number "Appadi Podu" along side none other than Shah Rukh Khan. The Bollywood star was seen lip-sync some of the lyrics and that sent the crowd into a further frenzy.
Even as SRK and Saran gave the crowd plenty to cheer about, there was an innovative mixture of acrobats and entertainment as performers, dressed in fancy hats, dangled on ropes connected to trampolines all around the ground. The spectators, who couldn't get a close view of the stage, were thoroughly entertained by these performers. There was something in it for everyone at the ground!
Three groups of dancers, painted from head to toe in saffron, green and white, respectively, put on a splendid performance. The lighting and fireworks used deserved credit. The dancers finish off with a Mexican wave as they make a formation of the Indian flag. It was the best performance of the night.
Taufiq Qureishi's percussion show wasn't well received by the spectators. Some of them were seen plugging their ears in the crowd! Amazingly, these pictures were displayed on the big screen!
While the stage, opposite the press box, had Bollywood singers and dancers entertain the capacity crowd, some of the other performers were seen wandering around the boundary line clueless about the role they were supposed to perform. It propelled a bunch of IMG and IPL officials to run over to them and instruct them on the course of action. Fortunately for the organisers, the television cameramen were strictly absorbed with the action on stage.
While SRK lip-syncing a song was still tolerable, his asking "Chennai, ellam seriya irukka (meaning is everything OK)," was atrocious. It wasn't even his voice playing in the background, and that was dreadful.
