Jin Shan Shan (Eesha)

🪔 About

Jin Shan Shan, also known by her Indian name Eesha, is a prominent Chinese exponent of Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance form. Her initial exposure to dance came through the Oriental Dance and Song Ensemble. She pursued formal training in Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of the renowned Indian dancer Leela Samson in New Delhi, regularly visiting India for over a decade to hone her skills. She also received training at the esteemed Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai. Prior to her studies in India, Jin Shan Shan was trained by the eminent Chinese dancer Zhang Jun from the age of 12, who played a significant role in introducing Indian classical dances to China. Jin Shan Shan established Sangeetham India Arts in Beijing in 2006, initially with eight students, to promote and teach Bharatanatyam. The academy has since grown considerably, with over 100 students by 2011, and hundreds enrolling annually by 2025. She also imparts training at the Indian Embassy's Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Beijing. Jin Shan Shan is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between India and China through dance, organizing numerous performances, workshops, and concerts in both countries. She frequently takes her students to India for further learning and performance opportunities. She performed her own Arangetram, the debut solo performance in Bharatanatyam, in 1999 while she was pregnant. Her teaching legacy includes her daughter, Jessica Wu (also known as Jessie or Wujing Xi), who is also a Bharatanatyam dancer. Among her notable students are Lei Muzi (Dudu), who achieved the distinction of being the first Chinese student trained in China to perform her Arangetram in 2024, and Zhang Jiayuan (Rhea), who became the second Chinese student to perform her Arangetram in 2025. Jin Shan Shan's efforts have significantly contributed to the growing popularity of Bharatanatyam among young people in China.