HWC 2018 Opening Ceremony Theme “The Earth Song”
Bhubaneswar, 21 November 2018: The
Opening Ceremony (OC) of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup (HWC) has a central
message of oneness, and a united world. To showcase the same the Ceremony is all
set to feature a first-of-its-kind theatrical production and dance ballet
titled “The Earth Song”.
Scheduled
on 27th November 2018, the theme of The
Earth Song is “Oneness of humanity”. The original production nudges people
to blur geographical boundaries in a bid to come together as one. Created,
written and directed by Nupur Mahajan, the production will feature Madhuri
Dixit as the central character, Mother Earth, joined by 1100 artists all of whom
tell the story of humanity and a united world. The Earth Song unfolds over five
acts and is a 40 minute performance with Shiamak Davar choreographing and
Ranjit Barot having created the original music score.
Adding
to the grandeur of the show will be over 1100 live performers who will converge
from across the globe to tell the story of “One World” and the innate oneness
of humankind. Exemplifying the oneness that the Opening Ceremony talks about
800 youth from Odisha, who are first-time dancers, are being trained to
participate and be an intrinsic part of The
Earth Song. This initiative of engaging local youth and placing them at the
heart of the production not only makes this a local production but it also
gives Odisha’s youth the unique opportunity of being part of a world stage.
Nupur Mahajan, writer and director of The
Earth Song, and creative director of the Opening Ceremony said, “For a
writer who wants to break the mould, the people of Odisha present the perfect
audience. Their inclusive approach together with the cultural and aesthetic
edge is the perfect reason to bypass formulaic ceremonies and create something
original, and intellectual. Also sport is where all divides converge around a
shared passion and it is the perfect canvas to engage the world in the message
of a united world. And talking of oneness, where else can Mother Earth rise but
India, a land which symbolises oneness in diversity.”
The Earth
Song is a dance ballet that comprises contemporary, classical, jazz, ballet,
Afro as also Sattriya, Odissi, Mohiniattam, Kathak and more. It will also comprise
of drama, dialogue and original music to deliver a strong message of oneness.
The story of The Earth Song is told by Mother Earth, played by Madhuri Dixit.
Speaking on the choreography Shiamak Davar
said, “This is among the more interesting ceremonies that I have
choreographed. The theme is universal, more so an original production has not
been created for an opening ceremony before, which makes this challenging and
thrilling. Madhuri and I have always created magic together and this, together
with Nupur Mahajan’s writing and Ranjit Barot’s music makes me believe that
together we will create a milestone show.”
The
Opening Ceremony also sees the culmination of the campaign that India has given
its heart to HeartBeats For Hockey. From the time that the Honourable Chief
Minister of Odisha launched the campaign by pledging his heart beat on August
29th, hearts have been pledged for hockey from Kashmir to
Kanyakumari. And one of those hearts belong to none other than Shah Rukh Khan
who stated that mera dil hockey ke liye bahot tez dhadakta hai. At the Opening
Ceremony, Mr Khan will present the collected heart beats of India to the 16
captains exemplifying yet again India’s spirit of oneness and harmony. And the
theme of the Opening Ceremony of one, united world.
AR
Rahman will bring to life his and Gulzar Saheb’s composition ‘Jai India’, which
is the official song and tune of the HWC 2018. He will then go on to perform
some of his most memorable songs including Jai Ho. The overall duration of the
Ceremony is 90 minutes. The same will be broadcast live on the 27th
November 2018 on DD National, DD Sports, and all regional channels in Odisha;
as also live stream on ‘Heartbeats for Hockey’ FB page. Such that people in
Odisha can enjoy the ceremony which will largely be in English in keeping with
the world audience, there will be an Odia commentary on DD Odia and regional
channels. www.heartbeatsforhockey.com
and pledge a heartbeat for hockey
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