SEATTLE—Prakash Krishnamurthy, a software engineering manager, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 2 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.
“I loved it. This was really great. I could see the divine beauty in the dancers, and I suppose that’s what Shen Yun is about,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.“It’s good that organizations like Shen Yun are trying to revive the traditionality of multiple cultures, especially the Chinese version of it. China has a very rich culture dating back 5,000 plus years. And it’s good to have that come into the mainstream consciousness of our American society,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
He observed that today’s society needs balance, and tradition might just be the antidote we need right now.
“I think it’s time that we bring back the traditional viewpoint. In this day and age of modernism, I think traditionality is a good counter to all the problems that we see in society today. I’m very happy to see that an organization like Shen Yun is at the forefront of it,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
“Being a tech person myself. I was just wowed by it. There is something about the dance that brings out the innate goodness in all humans, and I think that’s the true value that Shen Yun brings to the society. I think if more and more people watch it, I think there’ll be a good divine counterbalance to all that we live in this world,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
He was particularly impressed with the dances, “Peacock Paradise” and “Water Sleeves.”
Shen Yun’s website states that classical Chinese dance training includes three main components—technical skill, form, and bearing, which is one of the many ways that classical Chinese dance is different from ballet.
“All the men’s dances and the sheer athleticism of the dancers was truly impressive. I was very impressed, and I feel blessed actually having come here to see this performance,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
This is Mr. Krishnamurthy’s first time seeing Shen Yun, and he’ll recommend it to others as well.
“I really enjoyed it, and I may come back, or I’ll recommend all my friends to come here too. I’ve been wanting to do this for many, many years now. And this is my first visit. I’m so glad, and I feel blessed, actually, to be able to come here and see this,” he said.
Reporting by Frank Zhang and Maria Han.
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.
