The 34th edition of the National Games is all set to conclude with a gala closing ceremony in Ranchi tomorrow.Bollywood heartthrob Katrina Kaif and singer Shaan's performances will be the highlight of the four-hour long closing ceremony beginning at 5 p. m. The Jharkhand Olympic Association has lined up a host of traditional and cultural programmes of Manipur, Punjab and Kerala.In the final segment of the ceremony, about 180 artists from Kerala, which is hosting the Games next year, will showcase their cultural and traditional heritage in a 12-minute segment. The Kerala segment will be directed by national award winning filmmaker Shyamaprasad.Sports Minister Ajay Maken is yet to decide on whether to attend the closing ceremony as he is apparently uneasy to share platform with sacked Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi though the organisers in Ranchi said he will be present tomorrow.Giving details of the ceremony, National Games Organising Committee's opening and closing ceremony sub-committee chairman N N Sinha told PTI that it will begin with the pre-show at 4.45 p.m. as the main programme will start after 5 p.m. Mr. Sinha said there will be programmes from Jharkhand and Manipur folk artists while from Punjab they will have bhangra. A special song 'Vidaai' has been composed by folk artists and percussionists and that will form the theme of the state's cultural show. There will also be paika dance to celebrate the success of the Games.The flag of the Indian Olympic Association will be handed over to the Kerala Organising Committee, to be led by Kerala Olympic Association President M M Abdul Rahiman and Kerala Sports Council President T P Dasan.In the Kerala segment, about 180 artists will display racing boats, Chinese nets among others during the segment beside performing kalaripayattu, kathakali and mohiniattam.National award winning music director Ouseppachan has composed the Kerala theme song — 'Varika, Varika (Welcome to the God's own country)-that has been penned by Shibu Chakravarty.
News On AIR | February 25, 2011 9:29 PM
National Games set to conclude