He received the Padma Shri award from the president of India in 1989, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Bharatnatyam) in 1991 by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music Dance & Drama.
Septum piercing was a popular trend among South Indian dancers (Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam) and among certain Native American peoples in history; the Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, for example, had such piercings.
Apart from academics, students participate in various cultural activities including: classical Indian dance (Bharatnatyam), Carnatic music, Mridangam, Violin, Tabla and Piano.