Published: Thursday, December 10, 2020, 16:46 [IST]
Noted choreographer Astad Deboo passed away on Thursday (December 10, 2020). The Padma Shri winner s demise was mourned by artists across India and internationally.
The official statement shared by his family on social media read, He left us in the early hours of December 10, at his home in Mumbai, after a brief illness, bravely borne. He leaves behind a formidable legacy of unforgettable performances combined with an unswerving dedication to his art, matched only by his huge, loving heart that gained him thousands of friends and a vast, number of admirers
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It added, The loss to the family, friends, fraternity of dancers, both classical and modern, Indian and international, is inestimable. May he rest in peace. We will miss him.
RIP Astad Deboo: He s dancing with the stars now
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Born a month before Independence, Astad Deboo broke free of the traditional dance forms to create a modern idiom of rhythm and movement that was uniquely Indian and all his own.
Avant-garde, unconventional, pioneer. the epithets were many for the artiste who defied societal norms of gender and regular career choices to become one of India s first and perhaps most well known contemporary dancers.
Deboo, who once termed his art contemporary in vocabulary and traditional in restraint , died on Thursday at the age of 73 leaving behind his two sisters and legions of fans and friends.
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Deboo is noted for creating a modern dance vocabulary that was uniquely Indian.
New Delhi: The legendary Contemporary dancer Astad Deboo died after braving an illness for some time. He was 73. The noted artiste was known for amalgamating Indian and western dance techniques.
Mourning his demise, ace choreographer Ashley Lobo said, With the passing of Astad Deboo India has lost one of the modern pioneers and legends of contemporary dance. Dancing right to the end he was an inspiration to many. His generosity service and contribution to the art will be remembered forever. He will always be known as one of the great artists that took indigenous arts onto the world stage through his innovative genius. Astad Deboo you will never be forgotten.