Preview: The Odisha government on Monday announced that all educational institutions in Bhubaneswar will remain closed for the opening ceremony of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup on Tuesday. Schools and educational institutions in the capital city will remain closed on Tuesday, while educational institutions across the state will remain closed after 1.30 p.m, a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and music maestro AR Rahman are slated to perform at the inaugural programme at Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday. Besides, some Odia actors will also perform at the programme. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who played a hockey coach in “Chak De! India”, will attend the opening ceremony. The actor, who is a sports enthusiast himself, has urged people to support hockey and Team India. He took to Twitter to extend his support. Hockey player Manpreet Singh asked SRK via Twitter if he would be a part of the hockey tournament and if the actor would support them. SRK replied saying he would jump at the opportunity. “I wish you and our team the best. Hockey is the pride of India. We will cheer Chak De India! Thank you for thinking of me. #HeartBeatsForHockey. Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Rajendra Prasad Sharma on Monday said tight security arrangements have been made for the smooth and successful conduct of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018. This was made necessary when the Kalinga Sena demanded an apology from Shah Rukh, alleging that his film ‘Ashoka’ had dishonoured the state’s culture and its people by portraying the Kalinga War in a wrong manner. The fringe outfit in Odisha threatened to throw ink on the actor’s face for distorting history in his film that was released 17 years ago. It also threatened to show him black flags on his arrival during the inauguration of the Men’s Hockey World cup. The Hockey India President, in a letter, appealed to the outfit not to protest against Khan’s visit. “Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most popular actors of India and is widely known in the hockey community for his support for hockey and movie ‘Chak de India’ and because of this he has been invited to attend the opening ceremony,” said Ahmad. “Throwing ink on someone who has been invited as a guest shall bring a bad name to India and will show Odisha in a very poor light in front of all international guests, including the teams,” he added. Following this plea, the organization retracted their statement of violence against Shah Rukh Khan. “We have decided to withdraw our pledge following the request by Hockey India President. Since it is an international event and Shah Rukh Khan is a promoter, we don’t want to protest, as that would give a bad name to Odisha,” Kalinga Sena chief Hemant Rath said. With inputs from Agencies. To see the entire schedule of the Hockey World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, click here .
Hockey World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony Highlights: AR Rahman caps off incredible night with soulful performance
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Hockey World Cup 2018. Stay tuned as we count down to the opening ceremony and bring you live updates from Bhubaneshwar.
 "Hockey World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony Highlights: AR Rahman caps off incredible night with soulful performance")
That’s it from us folks!
What a show that by the master musician. AR Rahman has truly made this evening a memorable affair. This wraps up the opening ceremony. The action begins at the Kalinga Stadium tomorrow with Canada playing Belgium, followed by India vs South Africa. Do join us tomorrow for LIVE updates and scores from the matches. Till then, it’s goodbye from here.
A performance that will give you goosebumps
📽️ | @arrahman's rendition of #MaaTujheSalam has moved every soul in the stadium.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/aS7YLwE6Q3
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
From Dil To Pagal Hai to the Hockey World Cup 2018, Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit have been entertaining people for years!
📸 | Superstars @MadhuriDixit and @iamsrk have entertained us for years now. At the Kalinga Stadium, they gave us what are going to be some of the most memorable acts for a hockey event.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/xsX3i5q9fR
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
What a performance from AR Rahman!
The Master is here. @arrahman performs at #HWCOpeningCeremony
— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) November 27, 2018
Follow LIVE on @FirstpostSports pic.twitter.com/ptjlXjkrXR
AR Rahman plays songs from Roja!
Rahman brings out a special guitarist from Odisha to play famous songs from the film Roja, in which he debuted as a music composer! The guitarist in question played in the first ever recording of the music from the film.
Every single performance at the Hockey World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony is punctuated with beautiful a fireworks display
📽️ | More brilliance on the skies above Kalinga Stadium. All this...because our hearts have, will and will keep, beating for hockey.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/htCKuytwC1
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
Next up, we have a performance from AR Rahman!
The global icon and musical maestro AR Rahman takes to the stage to perform the official song of the Hockey World Cup 2018 and a selection of hits!
Yet another amazing image of the brilliantly lit Kalinga Stadium
📸 | Take a moment and let it sink in.
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
THIS 🏟️ IS KALINGA STADIUM 😱#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/5ij8eHYBKE
Madhuri Dixit Nene speaks of an ideal world where love transcends race, gender and language
It's a great privilege to see you performing live maam @MadhuriDixit #MyHeartBeatsForHockey #odisha #KalingaStadium #HockeyWorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/htZtkC4jPu
— Soumya Ray Somu (@iamsomul) November 27, 2018
Madhuri Dixit Nene takes the stage as part of the Earth Song
‘The world is one big family. The opening ceremony celebrates the oneness of humanity,’ says host Gaurav Kapoor, whilst inviting actor Madhuri Dixit on to the beautiful stage.
Dixit will be joined by 1,100 artists as part of a show that will unfold over five acts. It is choreographed by Shiamak Davar, and it will attempt to highlight the importance of equality and love for all.
Naveen Patnaik takes the stage
Shah Rukh Khan has brought the house down with his eloquence. Odisha CM joins him on the stage and proceeds to greet the captains. Some quiet moments after a pulsating rallying call by SRK!
Shah Rukh Khan gives a word of warning to the foreign captains
“We are all extremely hospitable in India, but we’ll play very hard and I hope you will too. Best of luck to everyone. All the greatest players in the world are collected here,” said Shah Rukh Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan is the house, and the crowd has gone bonkers!
Shah Rukh Khan say, “This is an important moment for this country. This is our sport. Thank you to Odisha, they have been a great pool of talent when it comes to hockey. I truly don’t know of a corner in the world where hockey is more revered than it is here. I am honored to be here.”
A short video about the pervasiveness of hockey in India follows the captains!
People from several different walks of life and numerous states in India come together to say ‘Mera Dil Hockey Ke Liye Dhadakta Hai’ as the screen shows how many people posted on social media with the tag #HeartBeatsForHockey
Here’s the order in which they come out: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, and hosts India
As expected, Indian captain Manpreet Singh elicits and incredible cheer from the crowd at the Kalinga Stadium
The sixteen captains of the participating nations walk out onto the stage!
Here’s a picture of them all standing side by side prior to the ceremony as they met with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.
The drone show saw hundreds of drones form a hockey stick and a heart!
📽️ | Drones lit up the sky to the tunes of maestro @arrahman's #JaiHindIndia. #HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/Dc5WGVONWl
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
FIH President Narinder Batra addresses the crowd!
Narinder Batra says, ‘It has been a long journey and the organisers have done their best. I would like to thank Hockey India and the Odisha government. They have left no stone unturned. This is the best ever opening ceremony of a World Cup. The Kalinga Stadium will undoubtedly come in the top 3 stadiums in the world."
The police are getting all the help possible from their canine companions as security is tightened for the Hockey World Cup 2018!
📸 | We got all the help we could for a fantastic hosting of the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/S2FLzp1jiD
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
And we’re underway with a drone show!
The announcer claims it’s the biggest drone show in India. The countdown begins to the Hockey World Cup as AR Rahman’s official song “Jai hind hind, jai India” plays in the background!
The great team of 1975 who brought the World Cup home is now on the stage. #HWCOpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/ScncZIbmE9
— HeartBeatsForHockey (@HeartBts4Hockey) November 27, 2018
The legendary winning team from the 1975 Hockey World Cup make their way on to the stage!
...And here we go. The winning team of 1975 World Cup is on stage! Bhubaneswar welcomes them with a standing ovation. Follow #HWCOpeningCeremony at @FirstpostSports #HWC2018 #HockeyWorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/faWwXtdr7U
— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) November 27, 2018
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, looks absolutely gorgeous heading into the Opening Ceremony
Right, so we are underway here. Odisha's artists are holding fort, and the crowd seems to love it, especially the camera📽️ @FirstpostSports#HockeyWorldCup2018 #HWC2018 #HWCOpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/mH5AE4aKAH
— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) November 27, 2018
AR Rahman is expected to perform the official song for the Hockey World Cup with Shah Rukh Khan.
Grammy and Oscar winning composer AR Rahman, along with celebrated lyricist-poet Gulzar, has created the official song for Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. The Odisha government roped in Rahman for composing the song titled “Jai hind hind, jai India”, which is penned by Gulzar.
Right then, guys. The Athletics Stadium at Kalinga Stadium is in raptures. It’s a capacity crowd in tonight, and we are moments away from a star-studded opening ceremony. Belt up!
Hello and welcome to #HWCOpeningCeremony from #KalingaStadium. We are all set to roll here. Follow all the updates at @FirstpostSports pic.twitter.com/jCVPiV8g11
— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) November 27, 2018
Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene will be performing at the opening ceremony of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.
The opening ceremony will highlight the message of the power of a united world. To showcase the same, the ceremony will feature a theatrical production and dance ballet titled “The Earth Song”. The theme of “The Earth Song” is the oneness of humanity.
Created, written and directed by Nupur Mahajan, the production will feature Madhuri as the central character — Mother Earth.
She will be joined by 1,100 artists. The show will unfold over five acts during a 40 minute performance with Shiamak Davar choreographing. Ranjit Barot has created the original music score.
Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik mets the captains of the 16 teams participating in the Hockey World Cup 2018!
Enjoyed interacting with the captains of the 16 teams participating in the #Odisha #Hockey Men’s World Cup as they got to see the intricate carvings in the statuary of Mukteswar temple in #Bhubaneswar #HWC2018; welcomed them to Odisha and wished the very best pic.twitter.com/uKaxoBarEp
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 27, 2018
Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the Hockey World Cup 2018 Opening Ceremony.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates from the Opening Ceremony, which will see the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and AR Rahman performing at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
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