Elizabeth Atkinson, from Carhampton, who is living in the Indian city of Udaipur for two months, is sending us weekly letters reflecting on the unexpected similarities between life in the state of Rajasthan and West Somerset.

In her second letter, she comes across two familiar sights - the Rajasthani Hobby Horse – and Rajasthani Morris dancing!

Her letter begins: "We have Selworthy, Udaipur has Shilpgram - a collection of traditional houses demonstrating village lifestyles from Western India and a focal point for showcasing the region’s arts, crafts, music and dance.

Perhaps most striking for the visitor from West Somerset is the Kachchhi Godi dance, originating in the desert area of Shekhawati.

Here is a close relation of our Hobby Horse (‘godi’ means horse) - a papier maché body with a swirling cloth skirt on a bamboo frame, performing remarkably familiar movements, including the mad, tail-flinging circling we all know (although not, in this case, as a fertility rite). ..."

Read Elizabeth’s letter in full, and see more pictures, in this week’s Free Press (February 15).