Chinese Teen Makes History With First Bharatanatyam Arangetram

A historic moment unfolded in China as 13-year-old Lei Muzi made her Bharatanatyam “Arangetram” debut, marking a significant achievement for the ancient Indian dance form that is steadily gaining traction in the neighboring country.

Lei performed her solo debut on Sunday, captivating an audience that included renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Leela Samson, Indian diplomats, and a large gathering of Chinese fans. This event was particularly momentous for dedicated Chinese enthusiasts of Indian classical art and dance, many of whom have spent decades learning and performing these forms. Lei’s debut was a historical milestone, as it was the first-ever “Arangetram”—Bharatanatyam’s traditional graduation ceremony—in China.

In the realm of South Indian dance, Arangetram, a term derived from Tamil, represents a dancer’s first performance on stage before teachers, experts, and the audience. It is only after completing Arangetram that students are permitted to perform independently or train other aspiring dancers.

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“This is the first-ever Arangetram by a student fully trained in China and performed in China,” said T.S. Vivekanand, the First Secretary of the Indian Embassy responsible for cultural affairs, who attended the event. He noted that the Arangetram was conducted in a very traditional manner.

Lei’s Arangetram is particularly significant as it is the first time a Chinese student, trained entirely by a Chinese teacher, has completed this milestone in China. “Lei’s Arangetram is the first time that Chinese students trained by a Chinese teacher have completed in China, which is a landmark in the history of Bharatanatyam inheritance,” commented Jin Shan Shan, Lei’s teacher and a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer in China.

The event drew a large crowd of fans who enthusiastically supported Lei throughout her two-hour performance, during which she danced to several classical numbers. The performance was further enriched by a team of musicians flown in from Chennai, who provided live accompaniment. Lei is scheduled to perform in Chennai later this month.

Lei, affectionately known as Dudu, has been passionately involved in Bharatanatyam since she joined Jin’s school in 2014. “I completely fell in love with it. I kept dancing till now. For me, Bharatanatyam is not only a beautiful art and dance form but also the embodiment of Indian culture,” Lei shared. She added, “This fascinates me greatly, as well as the gorgeous and graceful movements during a dance item. Overall, I extremely love Bharatanatyam. For me, it is already a daily activity to do, and I am truly interested in the culture of India.”

Jin Shan Shan, who herself was the first accomplished Chinese Bharatanatyam dancer to hold her Arangetram in New Delhi in 1999, has played a pivotal role in Lei’s training. Jin, a student of the eminent Chinese dancer Zhang Jun, expressed pride in her student’s achievement. “Bharatanatyam has brought us close together. For ten years, Lei has come to my home every weekend to attend classes, which not only let me witness her growth but also made us family,” she reflected. She further remarked, “It reminds me of how my guru, Leela Samson, taught me when I did my Arangetram.”

Jin described Sunday’s Arangetram as a festival for them, emphasizing the deep cultural connection and shared joy that the event represented.

Shruti Rawat, the wife of Indian Ambassador Pradeep Rawat, was the chief guest at the event.