The sixth edition of the Indian Premier League kicked off on Tuesday with a glitzy opening ceremony featuring Bollywood stars and international rapper Pitbull at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Flying drummers, Chinese percussionists, fireworks, and some of the biggest film stars in the country, including Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, will performed at the ceremony.
Never before in cricket has any private tournament been as successful as the IPL and it is expected to be a rollicking affair once again when the nine franchises lock horns for the coveted title.
The Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions, had earned the right to host the opening ceremony.
KKR will also host the IPL opener, on Wednesday, when they take on Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens that will also witness the summit clash on May 26.
The IPL Six offers a total prize purse of Rs 25 crore that includes Rs 10 crore for the winners and Rs 7.5 crore for the runners up.
SRK promises ‘never-seen-before’ show
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has promised a “spectacular and never-seen-before” opening ceremony.
Before the start of the two-month long exhilarating cricket, the opening ceremony of IPL 6, described as the greatest show ever in India by the organisers, would stay true to its theme of ‘cricketainment’.
“The opening nite of IPL 2013 will be a spectacular ceremony, the likes of which India has never seen before,” Shah Rukh said.
“I will be performing to some of my songs. Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone, two of my co-stars, will also be there. Pitbull, the international rapper, will also thrill the audiences,” he added.
The trio would perform to a medley of Bollywood chart-toppers after which Pitbull is expected to join them on the stage with some of his popular rap numbers.
Last year, American pop star Katy Perry had performed during the opening ceremony of IPL 5 in Chennai.
The Salt Lake stadium, mainly used for hosting football matches, has been decorated in a lavish way, which includes a mammoth-size stage for the opening show.
The opening ceremony will have cheerleaders, flying drummers, gymnasts, rhythm acrobats, stilt-walkers, air-tumblers and mass dancers coming together to entertain the audiences.
A huge podium has been erected, while the artificial turf is being covered with a rubber mat, where the artists will perform.
Precautions have also been taken so that the astroturf used for football matches does not get damaged.
The opening ceremony would begin with a traditional welcome during which a huge balloon carrying the IPL Cup would descend on the stadium in a segment titled ‘The IPL Universe’ where the nine teams will be seen as planets.
A large troup of 300 dancers is expected to perform on a track composed by Bollywood composer Pritam.
A troupe of 19 Red Poppy artistes, a band of women percussionists from China, would add to another international touch to the celebrations.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore said they have also invited West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to light the inaugural lamp on Tuesday.
“I had a short courtesy meeting with her today. We requested her to be present and thanked her for her support,” he said.
