Dressed in a black robe, he took over the stage and spilled his charm, enchanting spectators with a 60-minute performance that spoke volumes about his distinct art and agility.
Pioneer in contemporary Indian dance, 69-year-old Padma Shri Astad Deboo presented ‘Eternal Embrace’, a mesmerising solo piece that received a standing ovation, at The Collection, UB City. The dance, composed in collaboration with Japanese musician Yukio Tsuji, was Astad’s first solo performance after a decade in Bengaluru.
Choreographed and performed by Astad himself, the performance explored the tension between the ephemeral and material worlds.
The piece was recently performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where Astad was touted as ‘a dancing monk’. As it was highlighted ahead of the show, the performance used dance and music to unravel the essence of ‘Maati’ (a poem by Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah), by marrying a distinctly Japanese restraint with an embracing Sufi sensibility.
Unfolding a drama of sorts, the sublime performance was a rich visual treat for everyone present, a tale told through rhythmic motions, whirls and strong emotions.
The Sufi-inspired solo created a divine aura and his signature style of evoking intense emotion only added to the magic.
Sharing his thoughts on his upcoming performance in Bengaluru, Astad Deboo said, “It’s a pleasure to present my latest creation along with my collaborator Yukio Tsuji.”
Astad has performed in 70 countries, collaborated with world-famous legends such as Pink Floyd and worked with the Government of India to celebrate the coronation of the King of Bhutan. He has also worked extensively with disabled artistes and opened the 25th Deaf Olympics Cultural Festival with his ‘Deaf Group’. The legend has choreographed for some of India’s most prominent film directors, including Mani Ratnam and Vishal Bharadwaj as well as for legendary painter M F Husain. He has even performed for the Royal families of Thailand, Japan and Sweden.
As for Bengalureans, he floored them all and proved that one is never too old to dance.
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