"The programme, titled Dance Variations, was interesting and innovative in that it used three genres from South India: Bharata Natyam from Tamil Nadu, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh and Kuravanji, a folk dance of Tamil Nadu popular with members of the Kurava gypsy tribe.

Bharata Natyam is the classical temple dance style that was formerly danced by the devadasis, the female 'servants of the gods'. Kuchipudi was originally a dance-drama danced only by men of the Brahmin, priestly, caste.

Kiran Ratna who trained in Bharata Natyam, heads India Dance Wales, a Cardiff-based group which is sponsored by the Welsh Arts Council.

Dance Variations featured Kiran Ratna, Megan Lloyd, Vibha Selvaratnam and Mala Patel. It cleverly dove-tailed several legends and myths concerning, among others, a demon king, a devoted god-fearing son, an angry god and a god (Krishna) who played the flute and attracted the village maidens to dance and sport with him.

Kiran Ratna's choreography was uncomplicated and straight forward aimed, it seems, specifically for presentation in unfamiliar church halls and town centres. The company's outreach services are far ranging and popular all over the length and breadth of Wales.

At Rhayader, however, the audience was transported from the banks of the Wye to the mango groves by the river Yamuna where poetry has it that Krishna trysted with his beloved Radha. The dancing created an atmosphere of exotic exuberance in what critics call a suspension of disbelief.

Earlier, under the direction of the dedicated Megan Lloyd, there was a dance workshop that attracted a number of local enthusiasts. It was heartening to see how quickly the movements, hand gestures and rhythms were picked up.

CARAD: Community Art Rhayader And District must be congratulated for having afforded the Mid-Wales community the opportunity of a most exhilarating art experience.

India Dance Wales holds regular classes at Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen and Bristol. Their next major production will be LIFE which will be at the Powys Dance Centre, Llandrindod Wells on 25 October 2009 and at the Hafren Theatre, Newtown on 12 November 2009."

Article written by Reg Massey