Embassy of India, Beijing

The Text of Ambassador’s Speech during the first Ever Tagore’s Musical Drama in Chinese Language, Lanzhou University, 24th March, 2012

1. It is a great pleasure to join you all this evening at the premiere of the Lanzhou University’s production of Tagore’s famous play Chitrangada. At the outset, let me congratulate Prof. Mao Shicheng and the students of this University whose interest, creativity and enthusiasm has made the play possible. I would also like to express my appreciation of the Lanzhou University authorities for their support.

2. The event you are witnessing today was conceptualized last year, which was the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. It has taken some time but very fittingly, is being enacted in a year that we have jointly declared to be the India-China Year of Friendship and Cooperation.

3. About the play, many of you would be aware that it was connected with one of our great epics, the Mahabharata. The story has both human and moral interests and poses dilemmas that I am sure Chinese audiences would fully appreciate.

4. It is fitting that Tagore’s play is being enacted at a venue that is at the heart of the Silk Road connectivity between India and China. Tagore himself was an intellectual bridge between our two countries. As we watch the play today, let us collectively dedicate ourselves to the promotion of stronger friendship between India and China.