Beijing: India on October 12 gifted 10 pairs of 'tablas' and 30 pairs of 'gunghroos' to China's famous Beijing Dance Academy where the first batch of students learning 'Bharatnatyam' completed their training recently.

The items have been gifted by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) as a gesture of India's appreciation for the efforts made by the Academy to promote Indian culture and fine arts in China, Indian Ambassador to China Shivshankar Menon said at a function organised in Beijing.

"It is a small token of encouragement for the excellent work you are doing," Menon told Professor Pang Zhitao, the director of the Academy, and Zhang Jun, a noted dancer.

Zhang, who has mastered various Indian classical dance forms and taught several generations of Chinese dancers, said the Academy included 'Bharatnatyam' as a course subject in 2001 and the first group of 24 students, including two Japanese, have already completed 10 months of their training.

"Despite the short length of their training in 'Bharatnatyam', the students made an impressive performance of their skills in the classical Indian dance form," she said.

The Academy's four-year degree course trains students in oriental dance forms from countries like India and Japan, apart from Chinese dances and ballet.

Thanking the Indian Embassy and ICCR for the gifts, Jhang said she would do more to promote cultural ties between the two neighbours.

Menon noted that India and China have had long links in the medium of music and dance, and said the Embassy would do its best to support the Academy's efforts.

PTI