BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom—When you think of Shen Yun, vibrant colours and a strong spirituality often spring to mind. The same could be said for India.

When Dr. Krishna Srivastava, a general practitioner, and fashion designer Titiksha watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Birmingham ICC on March 28, they realised just how much their Indian heritage had in common with traditional Chinese culture.

It was “breathtaking, stunning, visually so pleasing, absolutely wonderful,” said Dr. Srivastava after the performance. “We have a lot in common, more that we even know about; tonight I realised.”

Shen Yun presents 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance, a unique orchestra that combines Eastern and Western instruments, and solo vocalists, coordinated with a stunning animated digital backdrop.

“I think music is absolutely beyond everything. It has no barriers. And today has proved that. You had all kinds of people but still we could connect with the aspects of [the Chinese] cultural side.  ... We could see the connection so strong,” Titiksha said.

Through the expressive art form of classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun dancers are able to dramatise cherished stories from the past and present. “Their figures embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilisation, and convey a message or moral that is still relevant in our day,” states Shen Yun’s website.
   
Dr. Srivastava agreed. “Love, compassion, honour, understanding – it’s all universal. It doesn’t belong to a country or a people,” he said.

“It was beautifully done. The choreography, the synchronisation, everything was absolutely superb.”

Titiksha has her own couture fashion label Tanushree Collections that specialises in stunning Indian bridal and evening wear. She couldn’t help but be inspired by Shen Yun’s beautiful handmade costumes that take their inspiration from different dynasties and regions of China.

“I love the colour combinations,” she said. “All nature’s colours were there. … I actually myself wrote down a few fresh combinations that I saw – there were a couple of combinations that were mind-blowing!”

Reporting by Mary Mann & Kat Piper

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.