Dance is her life. She was the reigning diva of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi for several decades from the 1960s. She rose to fame with her magnetic stage presence, virtuosity and presentations exuding power, artistic pride, and an overt sensuality, which gave a new dimension to the arts in the post-devadasi phase. Often performing three classical dance forms in her concerts, she is one of the most celebrated Indian classical dancers of the 20th century. Her performances highlighted the majesty of Bharatanatyam, the speed and grace of Kuchipudi, and the lyrical languor of Odissi. The veteran dancer-teacher who has made Delhi her home stepped into her eighties in December 2019.