Music from China invokes the subtle spirit and combines the power of both the traditional ethnic as well as contemporary music. Chinese philosophers took varying approaches to music. To Confucius, a  correct form of music is important for the cultivation and refinement of the individual, and the Confucian system considers the formal music to be morally uplifting and the symbol of a good ruler and stable government. Today ,while  Chinese music  in its digital form  continues to storm the internet from Mainland China ,Hongkong, Taiwan and Korea, it  was a refreshing change for students from WeSchool to listen to the tinkling melodies  played by Prof Dr  Liu Yuening, Professor of Central Conservatory of Music ,People’s Republic of China . Mr. Yan Hualong, Deputy Consul General ,People’s Republic of China who had taken time off from his busy diplomatic schedule  to enjoy  the musical interlude from his home country , was joined by the students of the Post Graduate Program in  Media &Entertainment at WeSchool.

The very accomplished Dr. Liu Yuening is Yangqin (Chinese Hammer Dulcimer) Professor and Master’s Supervisor of Traditional Instruments Department of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM). She is also Director of the Music, Confucius Institute office of CCOM. She is a member for education of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). She is the Vice President of the Yangqin Association, Vice President of the Western Returned Scholar Association–Chinese Overseas-Educated Scholars Association (WRSA), Board of the Cimbalom World Association and the China & India Friendship Association. She has worked as a visiting professor of Michigan University, USA; M. Lysenko Lviv State Academy of Music, Ukraine and P. J. Vejvanovsky National Academy of Music, Czech Republic.

As the cultural ambassador of China, She has visited more than 30 countries and regions in Europe, America and Asia. She was granted ASIA Fellows Awards funded by the Ford Foundation to study music and culture in the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts of the Delhi University in India from in 2009. Liu has released 15 albums in China and overseas, published 10 textbook series and dozens of research papers and articles. Beyond her childhood love for Tagore’s poetry, it is her musical instrument that has made Liu the leading exponent of the India-China music dialogue and a key ambassador of culture. The Yangqin belongs to a family of string instruments which have their origins in Central Asia (Iran –Iraq).It is akin to the Indian Santoor and the scholarly Liu has studied its technique in India with none other than the  noted  Santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma.

As the students listened to the lilting melodies flowing from the deft strokes on the Yangqin in rapt attention, they were   transformed into a different world filled with peace, tranquilly and joy. Dr. Liu Yuening was accompanied by Dr Ji Jie on string instruments like the Gau Hu,Er Hu amd Zhong Hu ,that added  to the aesthetic beauty of the musical interludes that held the audience spellbound.

“We are indeed very happy to have a strong line with WeSchool. India and China are great civilizations with a history of thousands of years of cultural exchanges. Today, we find that there is a lack of understanding between the two and efforts are being made by the premiers of both countries to bring us closer. Let us build bridges of friendship between our great countries to build strong cooperation between these great civilizations” said Mr Yan Hualong, Deputy Consul General in Mumbai for the People’s Republic of China.