Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s2.t20.28

v2.c10.s2.t20.28

During Tagore’s visit to China, his Beijing visit was considered as the high tide. He arrived on April 23 and left on the May 20, thus staying there for almost 30 days. He delivered six speeches in Beijing. On May 8, 1924, the poet’s birthday celebration was held in Beijing. Professor Liang Qichao generously gifted him with a pair of precious stone with a sealed inscription. On it was inscribed with poet’s Chinese name given by him “Zhu Zhendan”. He enthusiastically explained, how formerly India called China as Zhendan, and in Chinese, Tianzhu was the name for India, so his Chinese name stood for the unity of India and China, while it also retained the literal meaning of the poet’s Indian name - Rabindra. Tagore was deeply moved by this significant birthday gift. In 1925, his Chinese name came on the front cover page of the book - “Talks in China”. That evening, a member of the Beijing Crescent Society specifically on the occasion of the poet’s birthday in China performed on the poet’s own play *Chitra*. Lin Huiyin played the role of the female protagonist - *Chitra*. According to Lu Xun’s diary records, Lu Xun himself also attended this programme till late.