Yoga, classical dance, Make in India lion at Hannover inaugural

A medley of neatly-executed Indian dance forms, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, and some smart yoga kept the audience at the Hannover Messe inaugural enthralled - as well as the virtual lion that leapt on to the stage and roared - only to metamorphose into the Make in India lion!

With 'swagatam' or welcome as the theme, the classical Indian dancers, including Odisi, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, performed two-minute neat dance moves, with the backdrop changing appropriately to reflect the state from which it hailed.

Kathak had the Taj Mahal, Mohiniyattam had the coconut-palm fringed Kerala coastline beckoning, while Odisi and Bharatnatyam had the ancient temples as the backdrop.

As the dancers finished their pieces, the stage went dark - and a large virtual lion emerged, appeared to walk among the audience - stopped, threw back its head and roared.

It then leapt through a virtual screen, turning into the Make in India lion - made of nuts, bolts and wheels.

The inaugural on Sunday evening was watched keenly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The entire audience, comprising of CEOs of man top German and Indian companies, applauded as the Make in India lion emerged, and many also whistled in appreciation.