Astad Deboo, a well-known contemporary Indian dancer, today enthralled President Pranab Mukherjee as he settled down after his meetings with business leaders from India and Sweden here.
The mood at Hotel Grand was transformed by three performances created by 67-year-old Deboo.
As three Swedish women recited the 'Vande Mataram', the hall echoed with claps all round. Deboo appeared on the stage and gave a presentation before the President and Swedish King Carl Gustaf XVI.
The audience, comprising mainly of business delegations, lauded the performances.
"A nice relaxation after breaking our heads since morning in mergers and tie-ups," commented a delegate enthralled by the performance.
For today, Deboo had created three performances which included the 'Vande Matram' followed by a dance on Swedish folk song "Oh Varmeland You Fair" sung by Swedish Soprano Charlotta Huldt, and then the third to music composed by Amelia Cuni and Stefano Musso and sung by Amelia Cuni in the dhrupad style.
The cultural afternoon came to an end with Rabindranath Tagore's 'ekla chalo'.
Deboo has evolved his own style of modern dance over the years which is very controlled, minimal with the use of the 'abhinaya' and the rasas and dance form of Kathakali.
He will stay on in Sweden after his performance and start working with Swedish choreographer Rani Nair on a new piece which will be premiered next year.
