Calcuttans recently had a chance to watch some creative dance performances from across the world at a festival organised by Sapphire Creations Dance Workshop during March 9-13.

The inaugural performance at Kala Mandir featured Astad Deboo, the reputed creative dancer. Astad has created a style of his own, easily distinguishable from that of other modern choreographers. His presentation enthralled the audience this time also.

Astad began with a piece named Aovan. Classical dancers pay homage to Lord Shiva and Ganesha at the beginning of their performance; Astad instead showed his reverence to body and space. Aovan was followed by Dance Expressions, the theme of which had two parts, Stepping Out and Every Fragment of a Dance is a Weapon.

Draped in a white pajama and a short black sleeveless kurta, Astad entered the stage with a monotonous, mechanical sound of the saxophone. It was gradually replaced by the rhythmic beats of drums. The item explored the different mudras and expressions which make up a dance form. The second part, rather abstract, was inspired by Tagore’s songs, but it lacked verve.

Thresh Dance Company, with Preeti Vasudevan as artistic director, staged Strings Unattached. It seemed not much of thought had gone into its planning; the presentation was rather mundane.