Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t18.37

v2.c10.s2.t18.37

*Shakuntala* has been staged twice in China. In the spring of 1957, based on Ji Xianlin’s translation, Wu Xue, a director of China Youth Arts Theatre, presented a dramatic performance of *Shakuntala* for the first time. This was greatly appreciated by the audience, and was a great event in the history of India-China cultural exchange. On May 19, the Indian ambassador to China, Ratan Kumar Nehru held a cocktail party to celebrate the 5ᵗʰ anniversary of the establishment of China-India Friendship Association and the successful performance of *Shakuntala* by China Youth Arts Theatre, which was attended by Premier Zhou Enlai. In 1982, China Youth Arts Theatre performed *Shakuntala* for the second time in Beijing, receiving a wave of praises.