Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t14: Yang Shuo
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t14
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Yang Shuo
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Yang Shuo (April 28, 1913 - August 3, 1968) was a Chinese writer. He was from Penglai, Shandong, formerly known as Yang Yujin, with the courtesy name of Yingshu. In 1937, he began to work on literary creation. Since 1956, he had been engaged in foreign affairs and had even served as the Chairman
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Yang Shuo
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of Foreign Literature Committee of China Writers Association and Secretary of the Secretariat of Asian-African People's Unity Council. He has written many prose works such as *Asian Sunrise*, *Mirage*, *Flowers under Spring Breeze* and many novels. He visited India in the summer of 1956, and travelled through Delhi, Zhebao (present-day Jaipur), Madras (present-day Chennai), Aurangabad, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. In 1957, he published the prose *Endless Love for India* in which he described the local customs and practices, cultural relics and historic sites in India, as well as the religious beliefs and ideals of Indians, being full of poetic and artistic concepts. He thought that “poetic flavour, philosophy, myths were all over India.” He said that he was “fully absorbed in its beauty,” and showed his appreciation for the “beauty created by life” of Indian ancestors, especially those “beautiful murals” and the “unique” art carvings. Because many of his works are compiled into the teaching material of language for a long time, his proses have a wide influence in China.
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(*Liu Jian*)
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Shi Zhen (left) and Wu Xiaoling paying respects to their teacher, India, December 1981
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an honourary Doctor degree of Letters from Visva-Bharati University. He died in Beijing on February 7, 1997 at the age of 81.
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In the 1950s, Wu Xiaoling translated *Nagananda* and *Mricchakatika* (two Sanskrit plays) into Chinese, and published them in 1956 and in 1957 through People's Literature Publishing House. *Nagananda* was a five-act play composed by Siladitya in the 7th
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'Collected Works of Wu Xiaoling' (Wu Xiaoling ji)
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century on the basis of Buddhist text *Vidyadhara Pitaka*. In the foreword, the translator introduced the author’s life and origin of the story and believed that this play, which aimed to propagate altruism and sacrifice, had a special value in the history of classical Indian dramas. In 1995, its Chinese translation was included into *Famous Translations of Buddhist Works* and published in Taiwan by Taiwan Huayu Publishing House. *Mricchakatika* is a 10-act play written by Sudraka in about the 3rd century. Wu Xiaoling also wrote some articles with respect to India-China cultural exchange, including among others, *Journey to the West and Ramayana*, *Another Perspective of Indian Culture*, *Dr. Walter Liebenthal: My First Sanskrit Teacher*, and *Postscript to Meditation’ Painted by Nandalal Bose*. Nandalal Bose was a famous painter in modern India, who once accompanied Rabindranath Tagore to visit China.
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From December 17, 1981 to January 29, 1982, Wu Xiaoling and his wife Shi Zhen visited India to attend the 60th anniversary celebration of Visva-Bharati University. He presented academic papers at Visva-Bharati University, Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, International Center of Culture and National School of Drama. The coupled held conversations with India’s President, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at India’s Independence Day ceremony and the reception held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Gandhi asked about their life and work and called them old friends.
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From October 8 - October 22, 1984, Wu Xiaoling went to India with Ren Jiyu and Wu Baihui to attend the first international conference on Buddhism and national culture. On the opening ceremony held on October 10, Indira Gandhi came to Vigyan Bhawan to grace the event, and was the first to meet these three people during the break. On October 12, at the dinner party held by the Deputy Director of ICCR, Indira Gandhi again held cordial talks with Xu Xiaoling.
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Wu Xiaoling with his wife Shi Zhen, also received visiting Indian friends at home, such as the famous Bengali folk singer Hemanga Biswas.
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Wu Xiaolong’s major works also include *Collation and Annotation of Xixiang Ji*, *Revision of liushi Zhong Qu*, *Edit and Revision of Guan Hanqing Xiqu Ji*, *Huaben Xuan* (co-authored), *Xidi Tiba*, *Ma Lianliang Yanchu Juben Xuan*, etc. The five-volume ‘*Collected Works of Wu Xiaoling*’ was published in 2006.
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(*Liu Jian*)
Linked texts (2)
- Mṛcchakaṭika — Śūdraka, Sanskrit
- Nāgānanda — Harṣavardhana, Sanskrit