On Friday at Olympic Park, the long wait come to an end when London Olympics begun with a grand opening ceremony. Indian delegation was welcomed with huge cheers and the 81-strong Indian contingent, the biggest ever, was led by wrestler Sushil Kumar, a bronze medallist in the 2008 Beijing Games.

Beckoned by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Randhir Singh from the VIP box, the Indian contingent was smartly dressed as the men wore yellow safas, navy blue blazers, cream-coloured trousers, off-white shirts and ties, while the women were dressed in elegant sarees.

Meanwhile the opening ceremony, called The Isles of Wonder, took place on 27 July 2012. It was designed and coordinated by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, with musical direction by electronica duo Underworld.

The games were arranged to be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip. Musical preparations were also significant. Survival, a single released by the English band Muse, was announced as the official song of the Olympics. It will be played before medal ceremonies, and international broadcasters will also play it while reporting on the Games.

A.R. Rahman, an Indian musician who worked with Boyle on his films Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and 127 Hours (2010), said he had composed a Punjabi song for the opening ceremony, intended to be a part of a medley which will showcase Indian influence in the UK, according to Boyle's wishes.

And as our national slogan goes…Chak De…India!




Source: TNN