Historic Debut Performance
On August 11, 2024, 13-year-old Lei Muzi achieved a significant milestone by performing the traditional Bharatanatyam ‘Arangetram’ in Beijing. This event marks a pivotal moment for the ancient Indian dance form in China.
A Landmark Event
Lei’s solo debut, attended by notable Bharatanatyam dancer Leela Samson, Indian diplomats, and a large audience of Chinese fans, was the first-ever Arangetram performed in China by a student trained entirely in the country. The Arangetram is a critical rite of passage in Bharatanatyam, symbolizing a dancer’s readiness to perform professionally.
Cultural Significance
T.S. Vivekanand, First Secretary of the Indian Embassy for Cultural Affairs, praised the performance as a historic event for Bharatanatyam. Jin Shan Shan, Lei’s teacher and a respected Bharatanatyam dancer, emphasized the importance of this achievement in expanding the dance form’s legacy in China.
Performance Details
The two-hour performance featured classical Bharatanatyam compositions, accompanied by musicians flown in from Chennai. Lei, who began training at the age of 4, has studied under Jin Shan Shan for over a decade. Jin expressed immense pride in Lei’s accomplishments and their deep bond through years of training.
Personal Reflections
Lei, also known as Dudu, expressed her profound love for Bharatanatyam and its cultural significance. She is excited about her upcoming performance in Chennai and views Bharatanatyam as a central part of her life.
Teacher’s Perspective
Jin Shan Shan reflected on the cultural impact of Bharatanatyam and celebrated Lei’s Arangetram as a testament to the dance form’s growing presence in China. Jin, who performed her own Arangetram in New Delhi in 1999, sees Lei’s achievement as a milestone in the dance’s global journey.
