slap of the foot
ringing of the bells
magic of the hands, face, body
surety of the beat
soaring of the voice, flute, drum
evoking the spirit, bhakti, bhava
imbibing the mortal with rasa
of life, love, god, all one and the same
only one can
guru, dancer, amma, child
shakti
Bala lives on
in heart, mind, soul
words inadequate, loss inexpressible
for one devoted follower-me
in memorium.

Medha Yodh, disciple

With unreserved respect and humility I bow to my revered teacher, Balasaraswati. To have known her, seen her magic art, learned from her wise instruction was surely the greatest gift I could receive. My heart sings to her memory.

Luise Elcaness Scripps, primary disciple of Balasaraswati

CORRECTING US IN class, Bala said, "You see, it looks very simple but it's very difficult to do." She encouraged us to keep working towards the perfection of the form attainable to each student's capacity.

To study with Bala was to witness an archetype who constantly recreated in front of our eyes an ancient sacred tradition. We learned from her that dance is sadhana, an intense experience bringing together mind, body and spirit.

Bala was awesome and inspiring. We feel blessed to have been her students.

East Coast Students: Celia Candlin, Lauren Cowdery, Dolphi George, Bonnie Novakov-Lawlor, Meriam Lobel, Sujata Sastri, Laurie Sogawa,
Niyati Yodh.

STUDYING WITH BALASARASW A TI was an experience with a great artist. Bala never compromised the pristine level of her discipline or aesthetics. . . not even when teaching the most elementary student. In her art and daily life she showed us the power of the moment and the complexity of life. "As a dancer it is important to experience and express everything", she said.

We are indebted to Bala and to her daughter, Lakshmi, who, in her role as a co-teacher and interpreter helped reveal to us Bala's perception of discipline, beauty and a depth of life which we continue to cherish and explore.

Northern California Students: Aggie Brenneman, Peggy Day, Leslie Egashira, Karen Elliot, Barbara Getz, Emily Mayne, Eva Soltes, Masa Snyder.