Amid light and sound,the Japan’s flagship company Sony was upset with BCCI for making Star associate sponsor for IPL- T20 extravaganza.

Reports say Star’s Rs 60-crore deal was viewd as an attempt to ambush Sony, who pay Rs 900 crore a year for broadcast rights.

Against this background,flying drummers, gymnasts, cheerleaders and dancers converged to set the stage alight marking open the latest series of IPL in Kolkata tonight.

“This was an extremely colourful, highly spirited performance straightaway – very symbolic of what IPL cricket is all about. ..”,said a commentator.

Another onlooker said:”Gymnasts take the center-stage as they wow the crowds with their performance.”

Earlier,Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan launched the proceedings by reciting one of the greatest poems by one of the greatest poets – Rabindranath Tagore:”Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free…”