A recent cultural event hosted at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal has brought together Indian classical dance performers from India and China, showcasing a growing bond between the two nations through the arts.
Beijing-based Indian classical dance exponent Jin Shanshan Eesha and her daughter Jessica Wu performed in Santiniketan to mark 100 years since Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to China. The event, jointly organised by the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata and Visva-Bharati University, was part of a two-day international conference commemorating 75 years of China-India diplomatic ties.
Jin, a passionate advocate of Bharatanatyam in China, expressed her belief that music and dance serve as powerful tools for cross-cultural understanding. “Sincerity, kindness, and beauty are shared emotions. Such communication goes beyond nationality, belief, or language,” she said.
She described her visits to India as a personal homecoming, filled with warmth from Indian audiences. “I’ve received nothing but absolute love from my Indian fans and friends,” she added.
Jin started Sangeetham India Arts in Beijing in 2006 with just eight students. Today, hundreds enrol annually to learn Bharatanatyam. Trained under Leela Samson in New Delhi, Jin is now one of China’s leading Bharatanatyam dancers, organising performances, workshops, and concerts in both countries.
Highlighting the cultural parallels between India and China, Jin said both civilisations have rich traditions—from opera and martial arts in China to Indian dance and mythology. “Indian dance, with its connection to nature and emotion, feels very relatable,” she said.
Indian odissi dancer Saswat Joshi has also found resonance with Chinese audiences. Through social media collaborations and visits to Yunnan province, he has gained a growing following. “Dance transcends language. It builds friendships and understanding,” he said.
Joshi’s cultural exchanges have deepened his appreciation for Chinese dance traditions. “Through dance, we can share values and heritage, and promote cultural appreciation,” he said, adding that feedback from fans continues to inspire his work.
Chinese odissi dancer Wu Kan studied for eight years in Bhubaneswar under the guidance of Indian masters. She became the first Chinese recipient of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarship to study Odissi. Now based in Hangzhou, she is introducing the classical form to Chinese audiences through classes and performances.
“Indian classical dances are the essence of Indian culture,” Wu said. “Understanding the art opens doors to Indian music, mythology, and traditions.” She noted that while most Chinese audiences know Indian dance through Bollywood, platforms like social media are expanding awareness of classical forms like odissi.
Kathak exponent Namrata Rai echoed these views, emphasising the historical roots of India-China ties and the power of dance to highlight shared cultural ground. “Traditional dance has a visual and emotional language that crosses borders,” she said.
Rai, who performed in several Chinese cities last year to honour Tagore’s centenary, said audiences in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou showed genuine interest in learning more about Indian classical dance.
The growing cultural engagement between Indian and Chinese dancers signals a renewed effort to strengthen people-to-people ties. Through shared stages, mutual learning, and deep artistic respect, both countries are building lasting bridges—one performance at a time.
Source: CHINA DAILY
