LONDON: The pulsating beats of bhangra reached the royal environs of the Buckingham Palace as Queen Elizabeth hosted a reception for Indian-origin Queen Elizabeth II meets dancers, after having watched a performance by Nutkhut, a London-based British-Indian dance company, inside Buckingham Palace in central London. (AFP Photo)

Leading British-Indian citizens from the field of sports, writing, acting and business gathered together last night to watch a performance by cultural group Nutkhut in the palace ballroom, under the shadow of a 30-ft domed red velvet canopy, used at the coronation durbar of King George V and Queen Mary in Delhi in 1911.

Performers from the dance group Nutkhut, founded by husband and wife team of Ajay Chhabra and Simmy Gupta, performed a 15-minute extract from the couple's show Bollywood Steps, inspired by Indian movies.

The couple said they were honoured to be representing Indian arts at the palace.

Chhabra, speaking about the opulent surroundings of the royal residence, said "We felt the setting leant itself to a film set -- the columns, the fabric of the canopy -- the bling of it stood out."

Chhabra's wife Simmy Gupta who jointly choreographed the show said: "It's a real privilege and honour to be asked to perform in the palace. We're British, we're Asian, we are contemporary, we also know our roots."