The refrain of the immortal Huseni swarajati trails off. The dancer recedes into the wings after the blazing tour de force that lasted nearly an hour. The entire audience rises on its feet as one man and breaks into a thunderous ovation that goes on and on, with most hands raised overhead. Artists, rasika-s and disciples mob the sixty-six year old dancer who performed like a sixteen year old. As she rides the swell of admiration and wonder she looks fit enough to go back on stage to do the varnam all over again.