From Beijing to Bharathanatyam: Lei Mu’s Extraordinary Dance Story

Tell My Story

Thirteen year old Chinese girl Lei Mu Zi wowed Chennai audience as she gracefully performed Bharatnatyam at Chennai’s Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Born and brought up in Beijing she learnt Bharatnatyam from a Chinese Guru Jin Shanshan since she was 3.

Her family flew in to Chennai for her premier or Arangetram. She has become the first Chinese dancer to have learnt this Indian classical art from a Chinese dance teacher and to have made her debut performance in India. On what drew her to this Indian dance, Lei fondly called TuTu told tellmystory.in “I love the gestures and the culture behind. I also love the sari”. She added “My grand mother and mom introduced me to the dance classes and it became a habit”.

Lei’s Guru Jin Shanshan had learnt dance from celebrated Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher Leela Samson in the nineties when she used to be in Delhi and had established her own Bharatanatyam school in Beijing. She said “Lei works very hard. She comes for a three hour class every week and practises the other six days. In China people are slowly realising the beauty of this art form”.

As a Grand Guru, for Leela Samson it was a proud moment to see her disciple making strides in China. She said “I love children and there is that sweetness and charm in Lei. She doesn’t show off”. When asked if Lei’s is a made in China, she said “of course”.

TuTu’s parents and grand parents too had come to Chennai to witness her big day. Her mother Li-Yu said “It was Bharatanatyam that chose Lei, thanks to her Guru and Grand Guru”.

Lei’s performance to centuries old traditional songs wowed Chennai audience including Anita Ratnam, an exponent of this classical art form. Anita said “It’s lovely for Bharatanatyam. India – China cultural relations are good. We need to strengthen our soft power”. She added “We need to remind teenagers in India that here is a Chinese girl who loves traditions and has learnt stories she has not grown up with”

Lei wants to continue to learn Bharatnatyam and reach greater levels of perfection. Many see in Lei Mu Zi, a global poster girl for Bharatnatyam and an inspiration for many in India.

Check our website www.tellmystory.in

Follow our socials for more inspiring stories —

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC1RH85XfLMfRl8FfwNhcfIw

Hoote: https://hoote.page.link/WQ6GJpeNxCqMnUd9A

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tellmystory.in

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tellmystory__

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tellmystory.in