Balasaraswati’s performances were marked by her exceptional abhinaya, or the art of expressing emotions through facial expressions and body movements. She was known for her emotive and expressive performances, which brought characters to life on stage. Her style of Bharatanatyam was characterized by its fluidity, grace, and precision.
In addition to her performances, Balasaraswati worked to promote Bharatanatyam as a classical art form. She established a dance school in Chennai, where she trained numerous students, including her daughter T. Balasaraswati, who also became a celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer.
Balasaraswati’s contributions to the preservation and popularization of Bharatanatyam earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honors. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of Bharatanatyam and her legacy continues to influence the practice of the dance form today.