The recently-concluded Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai paid a befitting tribute to Astad Deboo, an integral element of the festival every year. This year’s retrospective showcase Breaking Boundaries on the iconic Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer was inspired by one of his celebrated shows. It featured larger-than-life sized red and black puppets, which garnered curiosity among the visitors. Asrashaheen.in exclusive.
If any dancer best personified serene gracefulness, it was undoubtedly Astad Deboo, (1947 – 2020), the avant-garde Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer. One of his celebrated shows remains the 2012 performances along with dancers from Salaam Baalak Trust, who he had trained for four years. In a spectacular visual piece, Deboo danced under the red and black hypnotic manifestations of Goddesses. The massive puppets created an awe-inspiring effect on the audience. The recently-concluded Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai paid a befitting tribute to the iconic artist, which is an integral element of the festival every year. This year’s showcase on Astad Deboo’s retrospective titled “Breaking Boundaries” was inspired by 2012 show and featured the larger-than-life sized red and black puppets, which garnered curiosity among the visitors. The festival put together a fascinating story of his life through an immersive experience at Cross Maidan, Fort, Mumbai.
While he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and Padma Shri in 2007, Deboo faced constant challenges with finding sponsorship for his performances. Cultivating the interest among Indian audiences towards modern dance was also a long struggle. But Deboo turned every challenge into opportunity and continued to experiment with his craft, which knew no boundaries. The soul of his dance had a divine rhythm and the style of his art had a fluid sensibility. Subtle expressions, free flowing hand gestures and flexible twirling movements highlighted his dance form.
Trained in Kathak in childhood, he also went on to learn Kathakali with Guru Krishna Pannicker in the 1970s. The experimental and unconventional dancer was considered the father of modern dance in India. Having collaborated with international artists such as including Alison Becker Chase, Pink Floyd and Pina Bausch, Deboo performed world over. In 2005, he performed at the 20th Annual Deaf Olympics, at Melbourne, Australia in collaboration with a troupe of 12 women with hearing impairment from the Clarke School for the Deaf, Chennai. When he performed in a group, he had the graciousness to give each dancer their space instead of grabbing the spotlight with his magnetic presence. The maestro also gave a celluloid contribution as he had choreographed the 2004 Hindi film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities by the eminent painter MF Husain.
One of the most amazing aspects of his dance journey is that he performed till the end of his life. In fact, even during the lockdown, he choreographed his work, Boundaries, dedicated to the plight of the migrant workers.
