Opening Ceremony at CWG 2022: A Spectacular Display of Color, Light & Dance

The Commonwealth Games have already begun. Yesterday night's opening ceremony featured a boldly loud celebration of everything Birmingham, complete with a 10-meter-tall raging bull, a union jack made of 72 cars, and an appearance by Malala Yousafzai. The two-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony, which was filled with references to the host city's history and culture, marked the start of Britain's largest multi-sport event since the London Olympics. Duran Duran closed the show with a performance of their greatest hits as fireworks exploded over the newly renovated Alexander Stadium, with Brummie drag queen Ginny Lemon starring in a lemon-shaped hot air balloon.

Colorful Light Show with an Indian Classic Musical Twist 

The region's rich musical heritage and inclusivity were central to the 22nd Birmingham Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, which featured a spectacular display of colour, light, and dance. Drummer-percussionist Abraham Paddy Tetteh kicked things off at the Alexander Stadium, which was packed to the rafters, and then Indian classical vocalist and composer Ranjana Ghatak took the lead in the section meant to highlight the city's diversity.

Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony

It was refreshing because the Birmingham Games were the first multi-discipline event held without major COVID-19 restrictions since the outbreak began. Meanwhile, as many as 70 cars in red, white, and blue gathered to form a Union Jack, even as Prince Charles arrived in his Aston Martin car with the Duchess of Cornwall, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Cars was formed as a tribute to the city's incredible motor industry history.

Then began the Parade of Nations

Prior to that, the city paid homage to the Queen, with a montage featuring her stretching back to the black and white era. Pvsindhu and Manpreet Pawar lead #TeamIndia in the Parade of Nations at the #B2022 Opening Ceremony. Following a spectacular display of Birmingham's culture and diversity, the evening paid tribute to Charlie Chaplin, who was hailed as one of the city's heroes.His birthplace, in fact, has been the subject of much debate between London and Birmingham.There was also an honorary mention of William Shakespeare, as the broadcasters mentioned the Shakespeare First Folio, which is housed in the new Library of Birmingham, the UK's largest public library. Through its printing press, the place's history was shown in all its glory.

Then there was a gargantuan bull in the stadium, pulled along by overworked, underpaid female chain makers of the Industrial Revolution. Till the time the raging bull was there going on a rampage, it was the cynosure of all eyes at the glittering ceremony.Perry the Bull, the Games mascot, got its name because of the city's iconic Bull Ring market, which has been around for hundreds of years. According to CWG tradition, Australia, which hosted the previous Games, led the Parade, followed by the rest of Oceania. Then, in alphabetical order, other countries entered the arena from their respective regions.Africa, America, Asia, and the Caribbean were next, and then it was India's turn, with double Olympic medalist badminton ace PV Sindhu and men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh leading the contingent out amid loud cheers from the stands.

Indians in Action!

Indians will compete on Day 1 of the Commonwealth Games 2022, and all eyes will be on the Indian contenders, including Shiva Thapa, who will face a Pakistani opponent. Thapa will compete in the Men's 63.5 kg Round 32 against Suleman Baloch of Pakistan. 

Commonwealth Games 2022-Schedule-29

England took the field last, with "We will, we will rock you" playing in the background. Birmingham got into the spirit of the Mexican Wave right away, displaying grandeur, rich culture, diversity, and heritage. The Commonwealth Games flag was brought out and hoisted before CGF president Martin walked out to give a speech, after which the Prince of Wales read out the Queen's message to declare the Games open. LGBTQ+ activist and British Olympic champion Tom Daley, a four-time Commonwealth gold medalist in the pool, carried the Queen's Baton into Alexander Stadium with an entourage of LGBTQ+ flag-bearers. Local favourite chart-topping band Duran Duran delivered the stunning night's finale in the city where their career began 44 years ago, which was one of the highlights of the two-and-a-half-hour long ceremony.

Symphony Orchestra amazing Performance in the Grand Opening

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra also performed, and Samantha Oxborough, a talented young singer from the Ribble Valley, sang the British National Anthem 'God Save the Queen.' Carol Pemberton and Black Voices, one of Europe's leading female Acapella groups, led a mass choir of over 700 voices from 15 choirs from across the West Midlands.The Royal Marines provided a rousing trumpet fanfare, while Grammy-winning guitarist Iommi and saxophonist Soweto Kinch led a dream sequence called Hear my Voice, which was inspired by the title track from the 2020 film Trial of the Chicago Seven and reimagined by Birmingham-born R&B vocalists Indigo Marshall and Gambimi. Creator of acclaimed British crime drama 'Peaky Blinders', Steven Knight was the creative mastermind behind the ceremony that had more than 2,000 performers tracing the story of the city's glorious past and present, while also reflecting the links between the 72 countries and territories in the Commonwealth Games.

The Games, which are set to be the biggest and most expensive sporting event in the UK since the London Olympics in 2012, have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.It is nearly ten years to the day since the much-lauded opening ceremony of the London Olympics.The opening act kicked off 11 days of sporting action in the city.More than 5000 athletes from 72 countries will compete in 280 events in 15 venues across 19 sports.

Echoes’ of the Past

The Commonwealth Games have been held every four years since their inception in 1930, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, when they were cancelled due to World War II. The Commonwealth Games were known as The British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, The British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and The British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974. The Commonwealth Games have been held in nine different countries so far. Australia has hosted the Games four times, with the 2018 edition being the fifth.The Games have been held four times in Canada. The only cities to have hosted the Games twice are Auckland (1950, 1990) and Edinburgh (1970, 1986).Only six countries have competed in every edition of the Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales. Australia finished first in 12 editions, followed by England in seven and Canada in one.

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