Tan Chung
Encyclopedia
Tan Chung is an authority on Chinese history, Sino-Indian relations
and cultural exchange. Chung has been a doyen of Chinese cultural studies in India
for nearly half a century.
In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan
, the third highest civilian honour by the Govt. of India and the China-India Friendship Award by the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
in the same year.
(JNU) and the University of Delhi
for many years. His father, Tan Yunshan was the Founding Director of the Department of Chinese Language and Culture "Cheena-Bhavana" at Visva-Bharati University
, Santiniketan
. After his retirement from JNU in 1994, Chung worked as a Research Professor at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi
and currently lives in Chicago
, USA. He has been Honorary Director of the ICS/Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi
.
A conference in his honor, at the occasion of his 80th birthday, was held in New Delhi
in December 2008.
Recently, Prof. Tan Chung also edited a booked entitled "Tagore and China" which was published by Sage Publications. .
2011 marks the 150th birth anniversary of noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and this book is a timely work to understand Gurudeva Tagore's love, passion and support for Chinese culture and civilization.
Sino-Indian relations
Sino-Indian relations, also called Indo-China relations, refers to the bilateral relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India. China and India are the world's most populous states and also fastest growing major economies...
and cultural exchange. Chung has been a doyen of Chinese cultural studies in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
for nearly half a century.
In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
, the third highest civilian honour by the Govt. of India and the China-India Friendship Award by the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
in the same year.
Career
Chung taught at Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityJawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University, also known as JNU, is located in New Delhi, the capital of India. It is mainly a research oriented postgraduate University with approximately 5,500 students and a faculty strength of around 550.-History:...
(JNU) and the University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
for many years. His father, Tan Yunshan was the Founding Director of the Department of Chinese Language and Culture "Cheena-Bhavana" at Visva-Bharati University
Visva-Bharati University
Visva Bharati University is a Central University for research and teaching in India, located in the twin towns of Santiniketan and Sriniketan in the Indian state of West Bengal. It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva Bharati, which means the communion of the world with India...
, Santiniketan
Santiniketan
Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata . It was made famous by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town that attracts thousands of visitors each year...
. After his retirement from JNU in 1994, Chung worked as a Research Professor at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
and currently lives in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, USA. He has been Honorary Director of the ICS/Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
.
A conference in his honor, at the occasion of his 80th birthday, was held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in December 2008.
Publications
A representative sampling of Prof. Tan's essays, (unpublished) talks, and links to his books may be found at and through his personal profile at the svAbhinava website. China and the brave new world, triton and dragonRecently, Prof. Tan Chung also edited a booked entitled "Tagore and China" which was published by Sage Publications. .
2011 marks the 150th birth anniversary of noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and this book is a timely work to understand Gurudeva Tagore's love, passion and support for Chinese culture and civilization.