Monks, music and money

As cricket strives to increasingly become a global sport, so do the opening ceremonies of its marquee events. The launch of the Champions League Twenty20 at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on October 8 will showcase the martial-art skills of China’s shaolin monks and Kerela’s kalaripayattu artists in what promises to be a glitzy and high-budget affair. The 30-minute ceremony will also feature Grammy winners Chaka Khan and Shaggy, along with well-known pop artist Jamelia. Also in the mix are Japanese drummers and dancers wearing yards of silks that will unfurl into the team flags. The CEO of the Champions League Twenty20 Sundar Raman said it would be at par with some of the best ceremonies seen on TV.