Sonali Sharma at First China Xinjiang Dance Festival 
 
June 22, 2008 

Bharatanatyam artiste Sonali Sharma was invited to represent India by the Govt of People's Republic China at the 'First China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at Urumqi, Xinjiang, China from 4th to14th June 2008. It was a maiden venture into the hinterlands of Northwestern China. 
  Sonali participated at the Opening Ceremony that also had participants from 12 other nations including Russia, Mexico, Turkey, North Korea & Egypt. Sonali ensured that the Indian flag rode high at the dazzling Indoor stadium.  
  She then embarked on to perform solo at the premier institutes of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. The ethnic populace of Xinjiang are largely Urguyr tribals of moderate Islamic faith. Living astride the ancient silk route, they address Indians as Hindu (pronounced Indoos). Sonali was perhaps the first ever Indian to introduce these people to any classical Indian dance form. She also gave well appreciated dance performances  
lasting over an hour each including lecture demonstrations for the students at the Xinjiang Arts University and Teachers University.  

She was felicitated by the Chairman of China Dance Committee & Xinjiang Dance Committee as well the Prinicpals of the institutes.