To showcase secular India, azaan, shabad, Buddhist chants at Games-26/09/2010

26/09/2010

To showcase secular India, azaan, shabad, Buddhist chants at Games

The Muslim call for prayer, azaan, will be a part of the background score at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. The ceremonies will also have a qawwali soundtrack, props on the celebration of Eid, and props on Mughal monuments to showcase India’s history and secular culture.



These components were included after the Group of Ministers led by Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy insisted, at at least three meetings held over the last three months, on "Islamic elements" in the ceremonies, sources said.

The GoM's views were first reported in The Indian Express.



It is learnt that the ministers had also wanted some Buddhist elements in the ceremonies, and they have now been told that images of the Buddha will be shown, and 24 Buddhist monks will play a musical instrument while Buddhist chants are played in the background.



The organisers have been instructed to also include Guru Gobind Singh's shabad, "Koi Bole Ram Ram, Koi Khuday-e" as part of the show. "Audible and identifiable" dohas by Kabir will be played during the opening ceremony.



Since the Games will begin with the national anthem, the organisers had proposed a peppy version of the national song, Vande Mataram for the closing ceremony. Three versions were presented to the ministers who, however, told the organisers not to "deviate from the original character" of the song.

The government had also asked for Vaishnav jana to; and the Mahatma's favourite bhajan has now been included in the programme. The hymn will be played on a flute, along with vocal accompaniment.



The ceremonies will also showcase the linguistic plurality of India -- a welcome song, Swagatham, will be sung in 22 languages.

The athletes' parade at the closing ceremony will showcase the golden moments of the Commonwealth Games 2010, which will be projected on to the aerostat.



Security agencies have given a last-minute approval to the organisers to bring sticks, swords and fire -- essential to showcase India's traditional martial sports -- inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the closing ceremony.

Source: Indian Express