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Shovana Narayan enthrals Chinese

— Photo: PTI

TAKING INDIA ABROAD: The former Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, greeting classical dancer Shovana Narayan and her troupe in Beijing on Saturday evening.

Beijing: A scintillating performance by one of India's foremost classical dancer, Shovana Narayan, enthralled a distinguished audience here.

A two-hour performance at the ``India House'' here, with the theme `A Symphony of Kathak and Buddhist Chants for World Peace' was arranged on Saturday evening by Indian Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao.

Terming the performance ``excellent,'' the former Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, said artistes like her could do a lot to enhance mutual understanding and appreciation.

``It was an excellent performance. I am of the view that we must organise more cultural events and exchanges between Chinese and Indian artistes and performers,'' Mr. Li told PTI here.

The former Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhou Gang, and his wife said it was "wonderful'' to ``experience'' the rich Indian culture. ``We should have more such events to promote China-India friendship,'' Mr. Zhou added.

Pakistani Ambassador to China Salman Bashir and his wife said Ms. Narayan was one of the best exponents of Kathak and they enjoyed the performance.

Ms. Narayan, who had already given a two-hour public performance here this week to provide a rousing start to the year-long ``India-China Friendship Through Tourism Year'' said it was her ``dream'' to perform in China.

The warm and friendly reception the Chinese people gave her and her troupe would be an ever-lasting memory for them.

Ms. Nirupama Rao said she decided to organise the special event as a number of Chinese friends had shown deep interest in Indian culture, dance, music and films.

Civilisation

``Like India, China has a civilisation that stretches back to thousands of years and, not only that, civilisations of India and China have co-mingled with each other and have cross-fertilized each other for thousands of years,'' she said. ``This is a journey that began not yesterday, not day before yesterday, it began thousands of years ago,'' she said. — PTI

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