French National Masters Indian Classical Art With Dedication
Cultural boundaries dissolve when art takes center stage. This sentiment rings true for Perrine Legoullon, a French national who has seamlessly transitioned from the streets of Paris to the spiritual heart of India. While she initially trained in Odissi, a classical form beloved in Odisha, Perrine eventually found her profound calling in Assam’s Sattriya dance tradition.
From Paris to the Banks of Brahmaputra
Perrine’s tryst with Indian heritage began long before she moved to the country permanently. Her first encounter with the Assamese art form occurred in France, where she witnessed a mesmerizing performance by the renowned Adhyapak Bhabananda Borbayan. That singular moment sparked a curiosity that eventually led her to shift her base to India in 2018.
Already equipped with a background in Odissi, she settled in New Delhi to commence formal training under Adhyapika Meenakshi Medhi. According to Perrine, understanding Sattriya required more than just physical agility; it demanded a deep dive into the 'Bhakti' movement initiated by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva in the 15th century.
Navigating Tradition and Rituals
Sattriya is unique because it originated within the ‘Satras’ (Vaishnavite monasteries) and remained a ritualistic practice for centuries before gaining classical recognition in 2000. Perrine notes that while the physical training was manageable due to her prior dance experience, grasping the linguistic nuances and the spiritual weight of the texts was a challenge.
"Understanding the nature of Bhakti in this specific tradition took time, but now I am comfortable," she shares. She frequently visits Assam to observe the Satras firsthand, ensuring her performance remains rooted in authenticity.
A Global Ambassador for Indian Art
Contrary to the belief that youth are disconnecting from tradition, Perrine observes a surge in young practitioners in Assam. She believes that every family in the region now seems to have a connection to the dance form. Her goal is to amplify this reach further.
Together with her husband, Partha Pratim Hazarika—an Indian citizen and fellow Sattriya dancer—she plans to take this heritage back to the West. "We plan to host workshops and performances across Europe to spread this art form as much as possible," she affirms. Her family in Paris, though initially surprised by her life choices, remains her strongest support system.
Perrine Legoullon stands today not just as a foreign student of dance, but as a dedicated cultural ambassador bridging the gap between Europe and India’s rich artistic legacy.
Image Source: ANI
