Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t13: Wu Xiaoling
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t13
- Language
- English
Wu Xiaoling
v2.c10.s2.t13.1
Wu Xiaoling (March 9, 1914 - February 7, 1995) was an expert on classical Chinese literature and Sanskrit. His ancestors were Manchus and lived in Suizhong, Liaoning. In childhood, he moved to Beijing with his father. In the 1930s at first, he went to Yanjing University and studied bibliography for novels and dramas from Zheng Zhenduo. He then later went to Peking University and studied at Department of Chinese Language under the supervision of Hu Shi, Luo Changpei and Wei Jiangong, and laid a solid foundation in respect of phonology, exegetics, collation and textology, and became a famous expert on the study of Chinese classical dramas and novels. While at Peking University, he took up a Sanskrit course offered by the German scholar Walter Liebenthal (1886-1982) in the Department of Chinese and Department of Philosophy. After graduation in 1937, he taught at Peking University, Beijing Seminary, Yenching University and Southwest United University in Kunming. In 1942, he accepted the invitation and went to India and became a Professor at the Cheena Bhavana of Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. He returned to China in 1946. From 1947, he served as Director of Beijing Chinese Center of University in Paris, and a Professor for Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fu Jen University and Central Academy of Drama. In 1950, he became a researcher at Language Institute of CAS, and from 1956, he was a researcher at Literature Institute of CAS (present-day Literature Institute of CASS). In the meantime, he also worked for China Society for the Study of Folk Literature and Art, Chinese Ballad Singers Association and National Advisory Committee of Cultural Relics. He had a keen interest in classical dramas and Indian culture. In the 1980s, he taught at University of Toronto as a visiting professor, and offered courses such as 'classical Chinese novels' and 'study of *Jin Ping Mei*'. He received an honourary Doctoral degree of Philosophy from University of Paris and
v2.c10.s2.t13.2
poems. Ai Qing's poetry thus had a complex and singular identity. Scholars have interpreted his pen-name in different ways; the word “ai” suggests beautiful or good as in the expression “少艾” (for a young beauty) and the word "qing" suggests youth and freshness as in the expression "年青" (for young people). The name Ai Qing, therefore, has a certain buoyant sound and implies the poet's unabashed romanticism. He always loved and glorified life, and influenced many younger poets.
v2.c10.s2.t13.3
(*Sabaree Mitra*)