New Delhi: It was truly a kodak moment as music maestro A R Rahman, Brazilian football legend Pele and former Test captain Saurav Ganguly posed for photographs during a glittering ceremony at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium. (Also Read: A R Rahman to Receive Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award)
As Academy Award winning music composer AR Rahaman sang the 'Happy birthday' jingle, and former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly clapped in reverence, a visibly emotional Pele was quoted by news agency IANS as saying, "I thank God for this day".
An elated Mr Rahman wrote on Twitter:
Felicitated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata banerjee, Pele cut the birthday cake -- in the shape of the Jules Rimet trophy that Brazil permanently won by triumphing in the 1970 World Cup with thousands of fans of all ages chanting the legend's name.
AR Rahman, who has composed the music for the upcoming biopic on Pele, also sang a line of his Jai Ho song.
Pele will complete 75 on October 23. At the surprise birthday celebration, the first slice of the dessert was handed over Ms by Banerjee to Pele.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared pictures of the meeting on Facebook:
An elated Pele expressed his delight at being in India in a series of tweets:
The Brazilian football legend, who arrived in the city on Sunday, also participated in a chat show with Saurav Ganguly.
Pele will attend the Indian Super League (ISL) defending champions Atletico de Kolkata's home game against Kerala Blasters on Tuesday, where he will be the guest of honour.
With inputs from IANS
As Academy Award winning music composer AR Rahaman sang the 'Happy birthday' jingle, and former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly clapped in reverence, a visibly emotional Pele was quoted by news agency IANS as saying, "I thank God for this day".
Felicitated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata banerjee, Pele cut the birthday cake -- in the shape of the Jules Rimet trophy that Brazil permanently won by triumphing in the 1970 World Cup with thousands of fans of all ages chanting the legend's name.
Advertisement
Pele will complete 75 on October 23. At the surprise birthday celebration, the first slice of the dessert was handed over Ms by Banerjee to Pele.
Advertisement
The legend Pele is in Kolkata after 38 long years.We are indeed very happy to have him with us on the eve of Durga...
Posted by Mamata Banerjee on Monday, 12 October 2015
An elated Pele expressed his delight at being in India in a series of tweets:
Advertisement
The Brazilian football legend, who arrived in the city on Sunday, also participated in a chat show with Saurav Ganguly.
Pele will attend the Indian Super League (ISL) defending champions Atletico de Kolkata's home game against Kerala Blasters on Tuesday, where he will be the guest of honour.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Sourav Ganguly Recalls How He Learned Leadership Lesson From Sehwag's Defiance In 2002 NatWest Series "God-Sent For Me": Bengal Governor On Court's Order On Mamata Banerjee "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Krishan Kumar's Daughter Tishaa Dies After "Battle With Illness": Family Review: Bad Newz Relies On Vicky Kaushal To Pull It Out Of The Fire Triptii Dimri's Bad Newz Reviewed By Rumoured Boyfriend Sam Merchant Why Some People Are Happy When They Are Dying Triptii Dimri's Sheer White Dress Only Gave Good News To Fashion Fans "Attack On Constitution": Priyanka Gandhi Hits Out At Kanwar Yatra Order Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.