(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts brought to life 5,000 years of Chinese culture to a packed house at The Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase, in Westchester, New York on August 22, 2010.

(L to R) Indian actress Padma Sidana, actor and stage performer Akshar Sidana, director of the Indianica Academy Jagdish Sidana, and actress and dancer Neha Sidana, attend Shen Yun Performing Arts on Aug. 22 at The Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase.

Among the many celebrities in the audience was award-winning film director, Jagdish Sidana, of the Indianica Academy.

Being a movie industry veteran of nearly 40 years, Mr. Sidana said that Shen Yun had filled him with inspiration.

"I learned that a lot can be expressed through simplicity, aesthetics, and beauty. That was the impression I got," he said. "They didn't have complicated movements, no jumbling up. All straight and simple, yet so appealing to the eye ... such aesthetics."

Mr. Sidana said that as a person in society, one of the most difficult things to do is to be a good person "although you want to," yet Shen Yun has demonstrated the simplicity of goodness," he said. "This is what they have shown me in the show."

Mr. Sidana continued. "They simply show that you can say beautiful things and you can convey peace and coexistence to the world and love for each other and for your family. How beautifully the performers expressed that."

Mr. Sidana's wife, former Hindi Cinema actress, Padma Sidana, said that she was "speechless" after seeing the show.

"It's so good ... The performers are amazing, they have such nice grace, expression, everything. Very nice coordination. Beautiful," Mrs. Sidana enthused.

Mr. Sidana's son, Akshar Sidana, who is an actor, stage performer, and choreographer, thought that the dancers expressions were "amazing," adding that the performance transcends language barriers.

"With the way the dancers perform, using props, or using body language, the way their emotions are portrayed is very true to the emotion that a dancer would feel--to what I would feel as a dancer," Akshar Sidana said.

Mr. Sidana continued, "So even as an audience member, the show again transcends the barrier of just being an art form. It comes alive as a story. It's not only dance, but it's emotion that is being expressed via dance."

His sister, actress, dancer, and choreographer, Neha Sidana, really enjoyed Shen Yun's message, saying that it "leaves an impression on your mind."

"It was very fabulous, very mesmerizing. It told a story, from beginning to end. It was very eye-opening for me to see the different things another culture can bring to us," Neha Sidana said. "It was really gracefully presented, very elegant."

Classical Musician Says Shen Yun is "Jaw Dropping!"

Classical musician and retired chemistry teacher Jerry Becker attends the Aug. 22 performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase in Westchester, New York.

Also in the audience was classical musician and retired chemistry teacher, Jerry Becker.

"This is very unique. I've never seen anything quite like it," said Mr. Becker.

"The show is living up to its reputation, it's just beautiful. Not only the dancing―which is so extraordinary―but also the music which is chromatic," he said.

Since the Shen Yun Orchestra is a blend of both Chinese and Western instruments, Mr. Becker's first thought was that the music would be dissonant "but it's not. It was beautiful," he said.

The show's digital backdrop particularly caught his eye.

"The scenery is stunning and the special effects were amazing," he said.

Mr. Becker thought the show was "thoroughly beautiful―entertaining beyond words. It's jaw dropping! The dancers are so well trained. It's worth every penny."

Sources:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41393/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41396/