The word contemporary dance is being used "blasphemously" by young Indian dancers with negligible knowledge or training in the dance form, says popular contemporary dancer Astad Deboo.
"Today the word contemporary is being used very blasphemously. Anything goes in the name of contemporary, without any training or discipline.
"They are talented to an extent but they copy their dance from what others are doing. Nobody is really putting any original thought into it," Deboo, who recently performed at a show titled 'Rhythm Divine II: River Runs Deep' here.
Deboo agreed that there were a handful of "serious practitioners of contemporary dance today", but the Padma Shri awardee said, "I am not very happy with the kind of work that is being presented as contemporary dance style."
However, the dancer said that Indian classical dance had a "strong following".
"There is a very strong following behind the Indian classical dance. Young people are learning dance and taking it seriously," he said.
'Rhythm Divine II' showcases Deboo's 16-year long "tryst with Manipur" and takes his association with Pung Cholom drummers and Thang Ta martial art performers to the next level since the 'Rhythm Divine I', which was first staged in 2007.
"Seven years after the first work, I felt it was time to challenge the drummers in a different direction, that of a more open articulation of old fears through bold and new creative choreography that reflects in music and movement," he said.
'Rhythm Divine II' brings together Deboo's style of mixing different elements from various dance styles.
Having worked in North Eastern India for over a decade, Deboo feels that Manipuri martial art and Pung Cholom add an extra dimension to his art form.
"I have been working there for last 16 years. Their way of life has always fascinated me. Their style of martial art or the Manipuri dance Pung Cholom adds another dimension to my choreography," Deboo said.
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