Indian Contemporary dancer and choreographer Astad Deboo passed away at his Mumbai home on December 10, after a brief illness , a PTI report stated citing his family. The Padma Shri awardee was 73. He was best-known for combining Kathak and Kathakali into a unique fusion form. With an impressive career spanning over 50 years, Deboo performed in over 70 countries across the world. He was the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1995. In 2002, he founded the Astad Deboo Dance Foundation which sought to provide training to marginalised sections. Saddened with his demise, tributes have been pouring in for the 'dance pioneer'.