Singer Britney Spears performs during Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet" tour at Dodgers stadium in Los Angeles in this November 6, 2008 file photo. [Agencies]

Britney Spears spent Christmas with Bollywood dance instructor Sandip Soparrkar.

The 27-year-old singer - who has two sons, three-year-old Sean Preston, and two-year-old Jayden James, with ex-husband Kevin Federline - sparked rumours there is more to her relationship with Sandip after spending the festive holiday with him in his home country of India.

A source said: "It's early days yet but their romance is going from strength to strength. Britney and Sandip tried to keep their trip to India a secret as they are determined to have a relationship just like any other couple.

"Sandip is very down to earth and keeps Britney grounded. He is also quite spiritual and sensitive, which is a side of him she adores."

Britney is said to be so taken with the dance instructor - who choreographed the video for her hit single "Womanizer" - she is even attempting to learn more about Indian culture to feel closer to Sandip.

The source added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "For Christmas, Sandip - or Sandy as Britney calls him - presented her with a traditional Indian sari. She wore it during a candlelit dinner.

"The pair were whispering and giggling all night. Sandip ordered local delicacies such as chicken tikka and cottage cheese curry. They were really cute together."

Earlier this month, Sandip revealed he was looking forward to working with Britney on routines for her upcoming world tour.

He said: "I'll be meeting her for work only, when she visits Jodhpur. We'll just be doing a bit of rehearsals, since I am planning to do the rumba, which is the dance of love. Britney is really looking forward to coming to India.

"She has heard a lot about it and what tops her list here is trying out the spicy Indian curry."

(China Daily/Agencies December 31, 2008)