Video: 13-year-old Chinese girl stuns audience with Bharatnatyam debut

A 13-year-old girl from China has made history by becoming the first in her country to perform a Bharatanatyam "Arangetram" in yet another example of the growing popularity of the ancient Indian dance form in China.

Lei Muzi, the young dancer, made her solo debut earlier this week before a distinguished audience, including renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Leela Samson, Indian diplomats, and several Chinese admirers of the art form. The event, first reported by news agency Press Trust of India, marked the first-ever "Arangetram" – the traditional graduation ceremony in Bharatanatyam – to take place in China.

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For Chinese devotees of Indian classical dance, many of whom have spent years mastering and performing the art, Lei's debut was an important occasion. In the Bharatanatyam tradition, the Arangetram is a dancer's first public performance, which reflects their readiness to perform independently or instruct others.

"This is the first-ever Arangetram by a student fully trained in China and performed in China," TS Vivekanand, First Secretary for Culture at the Indian Embassy, told Press Trust of India.

Jin Shan Shan, Lei’s mentor and a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer in China, said: "Lei’s Arangetram is the first time that Chinese students trained by a Chinese teacher have completed it in China, marking a landmark in the history of Bharatanatyam inheritance."

The performance lasted for two hours and was welcomed with huge rounds of applause from a large audience as Lei danced to several classical compositions. A group of musicians from Chennai provided live music.

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 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 13, 2024

Lei, affectionately known as Dudu, studied Bharatanatyam for over a decade at Jin's dance school. Her journey with Bharatanatyam began in 2014, and her passion for the art form has only elevated over the years. Jin herself was the first Chinese dancer to complete an Arangetram in Bharatanatyam, a feat she achieved in 1999 in New Delhi.

Lei is now set to perform in Chennai later this month.

(With inputs from agencies)