Astad Deboo gears for 'unique' act at Parsi Culture exhibit

Contemporary dancer and choreographer Astad Deboo is all set to perform along with his Manipuri drummers troupe as part of "The Everlasting Flame International" exhibition here on Monday.
Under this, 'Threads of Continuity: Zoroastrian Life and Culture' will be held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) at which Deboo will perform.
The event, which is a celebration of history, beliefs, practices and contribution of Parsis, will see Deboo and his group give a "unique" performance titled "Elemental, Divine", depicting the four "sacred" elements in Zoroastrianism.
"I have been with my Manipuri dance troupe Shree Shree Govindaji Nat Sankirtan for 10 years now. The act will be about the Zoroastrian elements of water, fire, earth and air. These are the aspects that I am dealing with in my choreography," Deboo told PTI.

"The performance will begin with chants from The Avesta, which is the religious book of Zoroastrians that contains a collection of sacred texts.. That will be the opening act," said the dancer, who has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and Padma Shri in 2007.
Deboo employs his training in Kathak as well as Kathakali to create a dance form that is unique to him.

He has collaborated with artists like Pina Bausch, Alison Becker Chase and Pink Floyd, and performed all over the world.
He said the 30-minute performance took up "six weeks to prepare" and will be a "unique experience" for the audience.

"It will be very different form what I have been doing with the drummers," said Deboo.
The dancer-choreographer revealed his next performance will be in Myanmar for which he will leave along with his group on April 2.
The 11-day-long "The Everlasting Flame International" exhibition, which began on March 19, is being held at premier cultural institutes here under scheme Hamari Dharohar (Our Heritage) in collaboration with Union Ministry of Culture and Parzor Foundation.