I am unashamedly going to use superlatives here but then everything about the Burj Dubai renamed Burj Khalifa warrants it does it not? It is the tallest free-standing structure in the world, the tallest building, the tallest tower ad infinitum.

Its opening ceremony on 4 January, 2010 was a jaw dropping event too featuring 10,000 fireworks, light beams projected on and around the tower, sound, light and water effects. Burj Khalifa is the centrepiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development that includes homes, hotels such as The Address Downtown Burj Khalifa, parkland, residential towers, the Dubai Mall, and the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake.

Arul our cameraman was excited on the day of the opening as most cameraman are when the subject is an iconic once in a lifetime event. He spent the morning scouting for suitable locations and by the time the inauguration got off to a start Arul had positioned Saju, his assistant cameraman at the Dusit Thani Hotel’s multistoreyed car park for close up shots since it is just across the Burj Khalifa. Arul stationed himself near the Business Bay bridge for an unobstructed view of the tower.

His efforts were worth it. Here is a brief video as well as some memorable stills taken by him and Saju and edited by Ramji our editor.

-Kokila-