Poetry in motion

Four poems of Tagore set to contemporary dance were choreographed and performed by the Astad Deboo Dance Company at the Tata Theatre in Bombay on November 29, 2011. Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary was the occasion for this well attended nonstop performance which lasted for 80 minutes. Interpreting Tagore, comprising Surrender, Your Grace, Walking Tall and Awakening, was performed by street children of the Salaam Balak Trust who Deboo has been mentoring. Despite their past, they have now become professional dancers, teachers, assistants, costume executors and puppet makers in their own right.

Surrender was the curtain raiser set to slow, deliberate movements which flowed into submission with eight of 14 students on stage who had graduated after intense training for three years. Your Grace, dedicated to the Devi, Maa or Mother, was executed with four dancers dressed as eight feet puppets — Kali — in dramatic sheer red material, descending the steps of the theater to mingle with the audience. This dramatic move created a bond of fellowship with the audience which was maximized by also using the rotating stage in the item.

Masked dancers depicting Kali; right: Astad Deboo arising to light

The famous Akla Cholo (Walking Alone, rechristened Walking Tall by Deboo) was sensitively chanted by Akash Khurana who recited the poems prior to each dance. Nine performers depicted "if no one answers to your call, go your way alone” with anchor Deboo and his troupe representing the universal saga of man’s ultimate journey alone. Four men wore Indian outfits and four were in western attire. Deboo finds an autobiographical connect with the poem in his solo journey of dance and corporate response. Costume designer Archana Shah needs special mention in her use of color, cut and fabric for each piece. Deboo, flatteringly presented in each costume change was spectacular in a vermillion bundgala with rich green lining.

The only solo item, Awakening, brought the evening to a close. Deboo took center stage in the dark, arising to light and depicting varied forms of awakening from flower, to water, dawn and other natural stirrings. Kathak exponent that he is, Deboo was attired in semi kathak and semi sufi costume. This item enchanted the audience with Deboo twirling like a whirling dervish for nearly five minutes on one spot and then theatrically coming to a sudden, absolute standstill at the end. The audience burst into tumultuous applause at the talent and expertise of this perfomer, for his dance embodies elements of theater as well.

The curtain call brought the troupe a standing ovation. Deboo, the Padma Shri award winner, then introduced members of the cast and paid special tribute to his parents, Roda and late Aderbad — emotionally acknowledging the presence of his 96-year-old mother in the audience. She had made the effort to be there for him, as she has always been throughout her son’s decades-long career in dance.

Mehroo Kotval