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The Astad Deboo Chat

Astad, tell us, have you ever felt frustrated with your career. It must be very difficult making headway in a country when state patronage is so obviously biased and where I once read some dancers (female ones, I mean) kowtowed (now that's a euphemism) with ministers to get their things done!

Bikram:There are a lot of frustrations in the performing arts. As regards women dancers one has heard but I really can't say for a fact.

Charles: What do you want to Know?

Have you ever been to Pakistan? Do you have any relatives there? I believe there are Parsis in Pakistan. I presume you are a Parsi.

Is Astad a Parsi? Kem cho saheb? I always thought there was a lot to be said about a tour of the typically Parsi towns near Bombay. It could be a wonderful tour for people who live near Bombay

What was your reaction to proposal of dancing on wall of China, with Pink Floyd music? Why did you accept and what were your expectations before the global event.

Ellen: As I don't perform very often in India only a few have seen my work but by and large the audiences who do come do appreciate. There are some who do not come out as converts to my art. My shows abroad, at times sponsored, and at times not. Occasionally I do commercial work in the field of dance.

BYE, Mr. Deboo....got to go now. Lunch break's over. Nice chatting with you.

Sometime back, I asked which was the finest compliment you received in your career?

Ashwin: the finest compliment I have received is from The Action Players, the hearing impaired actors, who thanked me for sharing my work and helping them experience movement.

If you were to take a holiday on a desert island and could choose one celebrity companion, whom would you take?And why?

Thank you, Mr Deboo. May I ask you what it was like working with Monsieur Cardin?

Icy: I did not dance to the music of Pink Floyd at the Great Wall of China (that was in London).n

Vidyshankar: Does it have to be a celebrity?

I guess so.

Srikantan: No I have not been to Pakistan. I hope one day to visit Mohenjadaro and the Harappan sites.

Which are your three most favourite tourist sites in India? Apart from Ladakh.

Bye, Mr Deboo. I must get back to work. Good evening.

x

May I ask you what it was like working with Monsieur Cardin?

Ashwin: Monsieur Cardin commissioned the work to choreograph a dance on Maia Plessetskia, the prima ballerina from the Bolshoi Ballet. So I really did not work with him directly. I did get to observe a lot of insights to Monsieur Cardin working habits quite a revalation.

Bikram: Kerala. The backwaters.

Thanks. It has been an hour since you began chatting. It must be pretty late in India too. It is 2 pm here. Good night.

And all the very best for your career!

And your life!

Bikram: Yes Astad is a Parsi name fortunately not very common. The Parsi towns near B'bay are Udwada, Bharuch, Navsari, Surat. Sure they are all rich in Paris history.

I guess I must be going. I need to finish quickly today. I have had a rough week. Have a nice weekend, Astad, and do post your response. I'll read it later. Bye for now.

Thanks, Astad. I live in Orlando and I do hope I get to see you in person soon. It was really nice speaking with you. Thank you for your time. Good night.

Vidyashankar: I don't know celebrities who are interested in the great outdoors so it does become very difficult to answer your Q.

Thank you for asking me on and I have never done a live chat interview and I hope to be back soon. Bye for now. Have a great one.

What drove you to dancing? Dancing as an art has multi-colors. Each color is influenced by a culture & style. In this varied & competitive world of dance, how do you emphasise your color? what part of India are you from?

Thank you, Astad. It was good to have you with us. God bless and all the very best in everything you do. And hope to see you soon!

Thank you, Astad. It was good to have you with us. God bless and all the very best in everything you do. And hope to see you soon!