International celebrity choreographer Alexandre Magno, who has been roped in to train contestants on the third season of Zee TV's popular reality show "Dance India Dance", says he is in awe of India's ancient and rich culture.

"I value India for its ancient and rich culture. There are layers and layers of tradition. It's fascinating for an artiste. I am overwhelmed with the beauty as well as the huge opportunity to learn," Magno said in an interview.

"I had come to Delhi earlier this year and had taken a picture of Shiva and Goddess Saraswati, both adorn my studio walls in Los Angeles," he added.

The Brazilian dancer has 25 years of experience in show business and has worked with celebrities like late Michael Jackson, Madonna, Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears, to name a few. He also has "Dancing With The Stars" and the Academy Award to his credit.

"I was thrilled to bits when I got to work with my teen idol, Michael Jackson. He was a powerhouse, brimming with energy. I had a chance to work with my favourite star Madonna on her world tour for an HBO special called 'Girlie Show' and also for the 'Drowned World Tour'. She is a perfectionist and is very balanced.

"Britney is almost like the girl next door. While training, she doesn't behave like the star that she is and is very friendly. I worked with the Pussycat Dolls on their video 'Sway' for the movie, and 'Shall We Dance...' where I was also one of the dancers," he added.

Magno is now training the contestants on "Dance India Dance" and can't stop heaping praise on them.

"The kind of talent that comes on the show is phenomenal! The show is a rage abroad. I am currently training the contestants for the gala opening act of the episode.

I'm a big fan of 'Dance India Dance' and have been following the show since season one on the web. I'm on a short break currently and hence approached the show producers if I could be a part of the show this season," said Magno.

"The contestants on the show surely have the potential to prove that they are born to dance. I see many future stars. The contestants here are not exposed to academic training. They are a bit rough. But what they lack in training, they make up for in resilience.

"The contestants here remind me of my struggling days when I was a dancer and used to travel more than five hours a day to learn different dance forms," he added.