NEW DELHI: Glitz, glamour and game. The opening ceremony of the IPL 5 will see a lot of fireworks in Chennai on Tuesday – from American pop icon Katy Perry’s performance to Indian dancing sensation Prabhu Deva’s act to Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s poetry recitation.
If that is not enough, Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and music band Colonial Cousins are geared up to set the stage afire.
The performer line-up is impressive.
“Amitabh Bachchan will be opening the night. He will render a poem written by Prasoon Joshi. And Salman Khan will give the show a fitting finale…all performers will bring something unique to the show,” Wizcraft Entertainment director Sabbas Joseph said. .
Joshi says it was challenging to pen the verse.
“The challenge before me was to write in verse about the spirit of cricket. The poetry captures this spirit and makes a commitment that whatever one may do in life, one would always want to be connected to the game of cricket,” he said.
A huge highlight of the ceremony, to be held at the YMCA Grounds in Chennai, is pop icon Katy Perry.
The singer, who tied the knot with now estranged husband Russell Brand, in India in 2010, returns to the country to give her maiden performance at the ceremony. She is set to enthrall the audience with her hits like “Fireworks” and “California Gurls”.
A rare sight would be dancing sensation Prabhu Deva on stage.
Stepping up the fervour will be music maestros Colonial Cousins, who will team up with international percussionist and composer DJ Ravi Drums and a group of talented percussionists known as First Project and local percussionists, d’Frens.
The fifth edition of IPL will be held during April 4-May 27. With nine teams and 76 games across 12 locations, it promises to be a treat for cricket fans. (IANS)
