SOUNDS of conches, chimes and Bhangra music reverberating left spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in awe yesterday.
Indian dancers (below left) usher in a spectacular show of colours, while Bollywood heavyweights like Aishwarya Rai (above), Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali Khan (bottom) perform the bhangra.
Bollywood beauties, singers and sports heroes joined hands as India showcased its diverse culture and rich heritage during the closing ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games.
India, hosts of the next edition of the Games in New Delhi in 2010, presented a breathtaking song and dance spectacle that had music-loving Australians enthralled, reported the Press Trust of India.
The closing ceremony lasted two hours of which the Bollywood segment lasted 11 minutes. But that was enough to rock the thousands gathered at the huge stadium.
After the Australian ballerinas and circus artistes had livened up the crowd, Bollywood stars took over.
‘Shera’, the Mascot of Delhi Games, was brought into the stadium accompanied by Indian global icons - former Miss World Priyanka Chopra and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.
A host of Indian sporting icons took part in a parade, bringing the message of friendship, love and peace.
The shift in rhythm was noticeable, with Aishwarya Rai making a brief but dazzling appearance before leaving the stage to Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee to up the pace with a bhangra performance.
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With dancers with petals forming a rose, Aishwarya Rai appeared performing a dance and golden rays unfurled all around the stage to represent the sun and monuments of India and Delhi were projected on to the main stage.
The traditionally-attired Indian dancers then made formations to spell out the words ‘See you. Delhi 2010′.
Rai undertook a 34-hour journey from Rio de Janeiro to Melbourne, where she was shooting Dhoom 2, a sequel of last year’s hit film Dhoom in which she did not have a role to play.
In the weeks before, she had been learning dance steps for the ceremony during shooting breaks, reported the Associated Press.
Ever the consummate professional, she had asked for a DVD in which her steps were recorded to be sent to Rio where she was shooting.
After her scenes were shot, she would to return to her suite to practice.
The handover was signified by the presenting of the ceremonial Games flag to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit by Victorian Premier Steeve Bracks.
The Commonwealth Games flag was lowered to the accompaniment of the Wurundjeri Farewell song, which was a tribute to the orginal inhabitants of Australia.
‘You come to the land, we shared our cultures, now we are sisters and brothers, safe be your journey, sweet be your pride, take the spirit of this land with you, until we meet again,’ went the song that was sung.
The closing ceremony was crowned by the biggest fireworks display ever seen in Melbourne as 4,000 athletes danced to Australia’s national anthem.
The Australian show had been all about Melbourne and the Victorian life, in what was an extension of the opening ceremony, paying tribute to the men who created the city and offering a broad overview of the architectural landmark of this city.
‘I Love Melbourne’ was the theme, and the sporting culture of the city was highlighted before a big thank you was recorded to the 15,000-strong army of volunteers who did a superb job during the past 11 days.
