| MUMBAI:
The DY Patil stadium at Navi Mumbai will be the epicenter of Indian and global
cricket fans alike as the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) 2010 kicks off on 12
March.
The cricketing quotient aside, fans will be treated to global artists and entertainers
at the opening ceremony. The
opening ceremony, executed by DNA Entertainment Networks, will showcase international
performers Lionel Richie, Ali Campbell of UB40’s and Bjorn Again. It promises
to be the most extensive hour of entertainment ever conceived and executed in
India, says the IPL Governing Council. Prior
to the commencement of the opening ceremony, the eight team captains participating
in DLF IPL 2010 will take the “MCC - Spirit of Cricket” oath to respect
their opponents, their teams and their umpires.
The captains will then sign the Spirit of Cricket Board as an attestation to play
the game within the spirit of cricket. In line with the IPL’s partnership
with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the league’s captains
will also sign a globe mode of recyclable material to demonstrate their commitment
to reducing their individual, and the league’s carbon footprint. The
Opening Ceremony’s entertainment will then kick-off in earnest with internationally-renowned
star, UB40’s Ali Campbell, performing the all-time hit song “Can’t
Help Falling in Love” supported by a troupe of dancers in colorful costumes.
Bjorn Again will then take center-stage to entertain fans at the stadium and at
home with Abba’s song “Dancing Queen”, accompanied by 16
dancers in retro costumes. Towards the end of Bjorn Again’s performance,
240 performers wearing LED costumes that glow in the dark will move towards the
center stage and create the chakra and its 24 spokes to symbolise IPL’s return
back home to India . Next
on stage will be a percussionist while the center stage transforms itself with
12m high borne, inflatable screens rises to reveal some shadow performers perform
a synchronised dance. As
the shadow artists perform, the eight team flags will be revealed in a theatrical
fashion through wind machines. This will be followed by a brief video collage
titled “Journey of IPL” based on the IPL's glorious three-year journey
to emerge as of the hottest sporting leagues in the world. The
Bollywood segment of the show will then kick on with the entrance of Deepika Padukone
along with 40 dancers. Deepika will perform to a medley of “Tonight’s
Going to be Good Night” from the Black Eyed Peas, “Teri Adayein”
from Karthik calling Karthik, and “TWIST” from Love
Aaj Kal. Hoola
Hoop juggling artists will then create the logos of the eight IPL teams using
LED glow sticks, which will be followed by a breathtaking laser show. For
the grand final pop icon, Lionel Richie will perform his hit single “Dancing
on the Ceiling” as all the artists and performers converge onto the center
stage. The ceremony will culminate in the largest fireworks display ever to light
up the Navi Mumbai sky to herald the start of DLF Indian Premier League 2010. As
the festivities come to a close, the real action will begin with the opening match
between the Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders at the DY Patil Stadium
in Navi Mumbai. Tickets
to the Grand Opening Ceremony and first match of DLF Indian Premier League 2010
are priced between Rs 500 to Rs 2500. One can book tickets online at www.ticketgenie.in.
Tickets also available at select Café Coffee Day outlets, Rhythm House,
DY Patil Universities and DY Patil box office at the stadium. | 
