13-Year-Old Chinese Girl Makes History with Bharatanatyam Arangetram in China

Lei Muzi performed Bharatanatyam “Arangetram”, an ancient dance from South India, in front of Indian diplomats and a large audience in China.

A historic milestone was achieved when 13-year-old Lei Muzi performed the Bharatanatyam “Arangetram” in China, marking a significant moment for the ancient Indian dance form’s growing presence in the country. On Sunday, Lei made her solo debut in the presence of renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Leela Samson, Indian diplomats, and a large audience of enthusiastic Chinese fans.

Lei’s performance was celebrated as the first-ever Arangetram, which is the traditional graduation ceremony of Bharatanatyam, held in China. This event represents a significant achievement for the Chinese admirers of Indian classical arts, who have dedicated decades to learning and performing these traditions.

VIDEO | Lei Muzi, a 13-year-old school student, scripted history when she performed Bharatanatyam "Arangetram" in China, a landmark in the journey of the ancient Indian dance form that is gaining popularity in the neighbouring country. pic.twitter.com/OaOlc9EEhh

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The Arangetram, a Tamil term meaning “graduation” or “debut performance,” is a key milestone in a Bharatanatyam dancer’s journey, marking their formal introduction to the art form before they are permitted to perform independently or train others.

“This is the first Arangetram by a student fully trained in China and performed in China,” noted T S Vivekanand, the First Secretary of the Indian Embassy responsible for cultural affairs, who attended the event. He emphasized that Lei’s performance adhered to traditional standards.

Chinese Bharatanatyam dancer Jin Shan Shan, who trained Lei, highlighted the significance of the event, calling it a landmark in Bharatanatyam’s history. Jin, who was herself the first Chinese Bharatanatyam dancer to complete her Arangetram in New Delhi in 1999, expressed pride in her student’s achievement.

The Arangetram was honored by the presence of Shruti Rawat, wife of Indian Ambassador Pradeep Rawat, as the chief guest. The event drew a large crowd, with attendees applauding Lei’s two-hour performance, which featured several classical dance pieces accompanied by a team of musicians flown in from Chennai.

Lei, who was trained for over a decade at Jin’s Bharatanatyam school, will soon perform in Chennai later this month. Lei, also known as Dudu, expressed her deep admiration for Bharatanatyam, saying, “I completely fell in love with it. For me, Bharatanatyam is not just a beautiful art form but a representation of Indian culture.”

Jin, who has performed widely in both China and India, expressed her pride in Lei’s accomplishment, noting that Bharatanatyam has forged a strong bond between them. “For ten years, Lei has attended classes at my home every weekend, allowing me to witness her growth and forming a familial connection,” Jin shared. She reflected on how Lei’s journey reminds her of her own Arangetram experience with her guru, Leela Samson.