Kolkata: Dancers in the colours of home team KKR set the ball rolling as they came rolling in giant hamster balls while a group of cheer leaders in purple sarees gyrated to the KKR theme song "Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re".
The atmosphere was revved up by Fossils led by national award winning singer Rupam Islam crooning some of their popular numbers as the crowd which had started to trickle in also joined in.
Goddess Durga with her children stepped on the stadium as a group of Chhau (folk dance form that has its origins in West Bengal's Purulia district) dancers presented the slaying of Buffalo demon 'Mahisasur' celebrated in the state as Durga Puja.
There was also a fleet of Dhakis- traditional drummers from the state - beating their drums and dancing all round the ground.
"We have local cheer girls this time for the matches. We are a team from Kolkata and throughout the IPL we want to give the fans a local flavour. Those who watched the opening ceremony definitely liked it," KKR chief executive officer Venky Mysore said after the ceremony.
However, the crowd which had started to soak in the festive atmosphere found themselves soaked in rain as it started to drizzle minutes after the ceremony ended.
Among all the frenzy, person who was missed the most was KKR owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan who had been busy meeting chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (IANS)
