Dancer Astad Deboo took a troupe of eight Manipuri drummers to Frankfurt, to present Rhythm Divine, a special dance sequence, at the inaugural ceremony of the 58th Frankfurt Book Fair, where India is taking part with a group of some 70 writers, poets and playwrights and 200 publishers.
India has its special pavilion in Frankfurt. Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh inaugurated it on October 3.
Deboo's group performed at the Alter Oper Hall October 3.
Dancers ChandraLekha and Navtej Johar, musicians Aruna Sairam, Punjabi sufi singer Rabbi Shergill and Rajasthani folk singers Manganiars, also represented India at this ceremony and through their artistry offered a flavour of our country.
Deboo's sequence was choreographed by him. The Manipuri artistes belong to the Govindaji Nat Sankirtan in Imphal.
Writes Deboo: 'The movements involved in traditional Manipuri dance forms have always attracted and inspired me.'
Deboo's group was given a thunderous applause by the 2,500-member audience.
He will shortly set off for Athens where he will perform at the Dance World Congress on October 26.
Photograph: Rediff Archives
