Astad Deboo and his troop of contemporary dancers enthralled students of Inventure Academy with their fluid dance movements and flawless precision at a memorable performance at Inventure Academy recently. Astad Deboo has been described as a pioneer of modern dance in India. He has extensive training in the Kathak and the Kathakali styles. He is also the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Nooraine Fazal, CEO and Managing Trustee, Inventure Academy said, “It is our aim to provide our students with a holistic approach to all subjects, including the various art forms. It was an exhilarating experience to have Astad Deboo join Inventure’s students and share his experiences
first-hand.”
This riveting program began with a breathtaking story titled Breaking the boundaries which captured the growth of a germinating seed into a young tree. The dance routine captured this journey through slow and graceful movements, executed with intense concentration.
The next performance titled Defying Gravity was a fascinating study of grace, control and poise. Trust and honesty were the key highlights of this performance, with daring, gravity defying acts which enthralled the young audience. The piece de resistance was the beautiful performance of Padmashree Astad Deboo himself in the next performance called the ‘Navarasa’. The final performance was a fast rendition performed by his disciples that echoed their dance styles before becoming a part of his dance troupe. The robotic moves by Astad Deboo that began this piece set the pace for the rest of the dance, which was a blend of energy and rhythm that reverberated through the school. The hushed silence, with which his performance was received by the students, was a testimonial to the quality of this sublime performance.
As a mark of appreciation, students of Inventure Academy presented the dancers with ‘honour caps’ with badges to represent the Astad Deboo award for exceptional contribution to dance and movement, which is an award given to talented dancers every year during Awards Day. His message for the students was to dream and to follow their dreams as he has for the past 58 years in his pursuit of excellence in his chosen field. It was a day replete with lilting music, supple movements and fine choreography — a day to remember for students at Inventure Academy.