He showed us the way: celebs remember Astad Deboo

Mona

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Year 2020 has been particularly harsh. On Thursday, it claimed another life – Astad Deboo, the pioneer of modern dance in the country, who lost his battle for life after a brief illness. Deboo, who brought India on the global stage of contemporary dances, recently choreographed Boundaries, an ode to migrant workers.

“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. 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,” Deboo’s family shared the statement.

#RIP Astad Deboo

Eminent personalities took to their social media accounts to pay tributes to the pioneer dancer

Anupam Kher

World of modern dance has lost a pioneer and India has lost a cultural treasure. Dearest #AstadDeboo it was a privilege to know you. Will miss your art, warm persona and your infectious smile! Rest in peace my friend!! #OmShanti

Leela Samson

Sad! Sad! My dear friend Astad Deboo passed away this morning to cancer. He knew too late. And was spared a long journey with it. But all of us in the dance world will miss his enthusiasm and his love for all forms of movement expression without bias, without judgement and only filled with a love and desire to understand and wonder at them. Rest in peace dear man. Know that you will be sorely missed. Your journey was exemplary, singular and passionate.

Nandita Das

Just too sad. Knew him and admired him since I was a child. You still had so much to offer #AstadDeboo I have lost too many loved ones this year.

Manoj Bajpayee

This is shocking! What a dancer!Wat a human! May you rest in peace Astad Deboo

Bharatnatyam exponent and choreographer Navtej Johar remembers Deboo for his path-breaking work. “He was first to imagine another way of moving, other than what is considered classical, not combining or fusing but doing something completely different and new. In his field he was a lone traveller for a long time, he was singularly carving this path. In doing so, he gave Indian modern dance a name and fame. He showed us the way, so to speak.” Choreographer Shakti Mohan calls Deboo, a recipient of Padma Shri in 2007, a great inspiration for new-generation dancers. “He is and would remain the ultimate when it comes to contemporary dance form.”

Kathak exponent Divya Goswami says Deboo is a legend, an inspiration and a meteor. “As he whirled on stage with élan, he narrated the tales of humanity, art and culture in a garland of creative energy. His body of work spanned 51 beautiful years of constant thinking, struggles and breaking the barriers. Today, not only does he leave behind an irreplaceable legacy, but his work carves way for generations to come and experience.”