MUMBAI: The 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa - first event of its kind for the State - will open on 29 November 2004 with a gala show of music and dance. Music maestro A. R. Rahman will perform at the inaugural function.

The chief guest for the opening ceremony will be the film star and Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner Shri Dilip Kumar, informs an official release.

A ten-day gala of events would kick-off at the opening day on 29 November 2004 at 2.30pm with a Cultural Parade from Ribandar Circle to Bal Bhavan featuring giant floats showcasing the best of Goan culture, music, nature with costumed performers, dancers and folk groups. The culturalparade would be followed by a musical show featuring local bands - Tidal Wave & Forefront. Along the shores of Mandovi River, special laser shows and fireworks would lighten the city of Panjim announcing the beginning of the prestigious festival.

Renowned film producer and director Subhash Ghai will present A. R. Rahman at the opening ceremony of IFFI, which will be held at Dinanath Mangeskar Hall of the Kala Academy.

Rahman, accompanied by a full orchestra consisting of about 60 musicians, will present live his latest compositions from Kisna, a film by Subhash Ghai. The Music of 'Kisna', composed by Rahman and Ismail Durbar will be heard for the first time at this rendition.

Also performing live on the occasion will be the famous danseuse Isha Sharvani, who will present rope dance. Isha is the talented daughter of Kerala based celebrity dancer Daksha Seth and is also the heroine in Kisna.

Addressing the press conference, M.P & Chairman of Co-ordination Committee of IFFI, GOA Shripad Naik said, "IFFI is a very prestigious event for the people of Goa and to be chosen as the host is testimony that Goa is an attractive and compelling destination for major events. IFFI would be a great opportunity to showcase to the world, Goa's unique blend of culture, offerings and attractions."

The show will be presented in front of a thousand celebrities from the world of performing arts, culture, film, music industry and media. The festival, being organized jointly by the Directorate of Film Festival and Entertainment Society of Goa, is a major initiative of the Directorate to present cinema in all its colours, sounds and splendors for the world to appreciate, adds the release.

The show will be telecast live on Doordarshan and will be covered by the international and national media.

The festival oeuvre will be followed by the screening of the opening film Vanity Fair by Mira Nair, who will attend the festival and present her film.

From 30 November 2004 at 6.30pm onwards, Large Amphi Theatre at the Kala Academy would showcase Bhangarallem Goem by Puranand Chari; Special Indian music & dance recital by Kala Academy; Konkani Drama - 'Sangod'; Rahul Da Cunha's famous English play - 'Class of 84'; Fusion jazz concert by Brown Indian Band; Marathi Play - 'Lekure Udand Zali'; Western music performance by Kala Academy and Hindi Play - 'Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai'written and directed by Feroz Khan and starring Bollywood's well-known comedian Anupam Kher. The above performances would be open to public and passes will be issued at the Kala Academy.

Another attraction to the festival would be the debut of beach screening in the country. Beginning on 30 November, a week-long festival featuring mega blockbusters from Mission Impossible to Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dhoom to Gladiator would be screened at Miramar Beach. One of the largest screens sizing a massive 70*30 ft screen has been installed at Miramar Beach and would be open to the general cinema loving people of Goa. Mission Impossible will be the premier blockbuster to kick-off the festival, highlighting the efforts of the Entertainment Society of Goa that have made such an Impossible 'mission possible' within a short span of time, offers the release.

The week-long festival will also pay tribute to the production house Yash Raj Films by screening their movies from the classic to the latest blockbusters, including Dhoom, Hum Tum, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Darr.