MK Stalin felicitates PM Modi at inaugural event for 44th Chess Olympiad

|HT|

The sprawling Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai dazzled on Thursday during the inaugural event for the 44th Chess Olympiad with classy lighting and special performances. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the event. On his arrival, the PM, who sported a shawl with a chessboard designed border, was accorded a warm welcome with performances by musicians and percussionists all along the route he took by road to reach the venue. Sand artist Sarvam Patel created magic inside the stadium in downtown Chennai with his skill by interspersing ancient Mamallapuram shore temple, the game of chess and the host nation India, besides that of Modi and Stalin. The FIDE 44th Chess Olympaid begins on July 28 and ends on August 10. The lighting displayed multiple colours and the magic of light embossed on the foreground a grand chessboard and the flags of participating countries. The stadium's dais was decked with king-sized brightly coloured chess pieces of king, bishop, rook, queen, knight and the pawns. A eport said a special dance-song "Vanakkam Chennai, Vanakkam Chess", was screened. An audio visual on the theme of sand-sculpting captured the game of chess to be played in Tamil Nadu's historic sea port town of Mamallapuram.

With an orchestra playing pulsating music, teams from dozens of countries including Japan, China, Australia, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Austria, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, and Barbados were welcomed to applause in the stadium.

'Jai Ho' was among the Indian instrumental music played while 'Vande Mataram' was rendered. All the eight forms of Indian classical dance, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchupudi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, Sattriya and Bharathanatyam were performed. People who gathered for the inaugural also reveled in the musical treat of Chennai based musician Lydian Nadhaswaram. FIDE anthem was played and a pledge was taken by participants. Top actor Rajinikanth was among the star invitees who were present.

(Except for the headline and the pictorial description, this story has not been edited by THE DEN staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)