Embassy of India, Beijing

Message from Ambassador of India, Dr.S. Jaishankar on the occasion of the first memorial of Mme. Zhang Jun, January 9, 2013

I am happy to know that students of Madam Zhang Jun and the old artists of Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble are organizing a commemorative event to pay tribute to the first Chinese dancer who studied classical dance in India in the 1950’s and inspired many in China to develop a passion for Indian culture and art.

Mme. Zhang Jun, encouraged by Premier Zhou Enlai, had studied Indian dance and served as a bridge between our two peoples and our two civilizations. As a founder of the Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble in Beijing, she also contributed towards the integration of the Asian cultural ethos.

I hope that Madam Zhang’s dedication to Indian culture and art will continue to inspire many of her followers and disciples to undertake future endeavours to further popularize the rich Indian tradition in China and continue to strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people contacts between our two countries.

I wish the event a great success.