Shiamak’s troupe may sidestep Ramdev’s free yoga show

If the swap takes place,it will be a major disappointment for the 900 students and trainers of Patanjali Yogpeeth who have been practising regularly for the past three weeks. Nearly 825 of them were to showcase yoga in the seven-and-a-half-minute slot allotted to them.

The move is rather surprising since Bharat Bala,Wizcraft and the international consultants had thought of the yoga act. “The Organising Committee approached us. They gave us a presentation on what they were expecting from us,” said Tijarawala,Guru Ramdev’s spokesperson.

The Patanjali Yogpeeth decided not to charge any fees for the event. “Yoga is the knowledge of our saints and part of India’s pride. We do not charge anything to teach yoga,so we decided not to charge the Organising Committee too,” he added.

The other dance groups who will be performing during the ceremonies are charging anywhere between Rs 39 lakh and Rs 45 lakh for a brief performance. The other classical dance groups performing during the opening ceremony are led by Saroja Vaidyanathan,Sonal Mansingh,Birju Maharaj,Raja and Radha Reddy,Guru Singhajit Singh and Bharati Shivaji among others.

In the latest brainstorming session,the cultural core committee apparently felt that Ramdev’s yoga students are not “up to the mark” and they would rather have a more contemporary Shiamak Davar.

The last-minute change comes with 55 days to go for the Games.