Most of us have an awareness of classical ballet, so Indian classical dance, though different, is not incomprehensible. In a multicultural town such as Watford, we are fortunate to see authentic Indian dancing, as we did in the impressive performance by Nina Rajarani and her colleagues at Watford Palace Theatre, last Tuesday night.

Nina is artistic direcor of Srishti Dance Creations, and won the MBE in 2009 for her services to South Asian Dance. Her fellow performers also all have distinguished careers. Most memorable were Y Yadavan the vocalist and K Eason the percussionist.

The main work was Shringara, a solo classical Indian dance by Nina, in a rich though not elaborate costume. It expresses a woman’s feelings for her lover. She was accompanied by five musicians, one of whom spoke the words. The dance movements use mime; are stylised, restrained and controlled, synchronised with the speaker and the musicians with the utmost precision; there are no leaps or pirouettes such as we are used to in European ballet. The music is simple, without harmony. Excitement comes with contrasts between sections of the work and the varied and complex cross-rhythms and syncopation. Bend It, a dance interpretation of a football match, was less formal, without the same polish. It had more in common with the energetic dance movements of an American musical. The London business world was interpreted in Indian dance form in the aptly-named Quick!, with eight performers. The short pauses (so that the dancers could take breath) only emphasised the fury of the dance – business is like that.

Such cultural exchange reminds us that the artistic spirit of mankind takes many forms and we are all the better for it.

Graham Mordue