Radhika Karandikar

🪔 About

Radhika Karandikar is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer, educator, and choreographer with a career spanning over two decades of dedicated training, performance, and artistic exploration. Her foundational training began in Pune under the mentorship of Mrs. Anjali Gokhale-Bhatavdekar, where she completed her Arangetram and was awarded the esteemed title of Nritya Visharad. Further deepening her engagement with the art form, Radhika honed her craft under the expert guidance of renowned dancer-choreographer Vaibhav Arekar in Mumbai. She served as a senior disciple and core performer with his acclaimed dance company, Sankhya, from 2016 to 2023, immersing herself in rigorous training and participating in the creation and performance of critically lauded choreographic works. During this period, she also attained a Master's degree in Bharatanatyam from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth. A recipient of the prestigious CCRT scholarship from the Government of India for young artists, Radhika has performed extensively at respected cultural platforms and festivals across India, including the Music Academy and Kartik Fine Arts in Chennai, Sindhu Festival in Mumbai, and the Khajuraho Festival. Her international engagements have positioned her as a cultural ambassador for Indian classical dance, representing India at the Festival Indii in Poland for four consecutive years, the Discover India festival in the United States, and at the Indian Embassy in Berlin through ICCR. Beyond the classical stage, she has demonstrated versatility through commercial work, appearing in advertisements and OTT productions for global events and brands like Dubai Expo 2020, Reliance Jio, and Sony LIV. Currently based in San Diego, California, Radhika continues her artistic journey as an independent dancer, choreographer, and educator. She teaches Bharatanatyam at Studio FX and Abinaya Arts Academy, offering personalized one-on-one and group classes to students of all levels. With over a decade of teaching experience in both India and the USA, her pedagogical approach emphasizes both technical excellence and a personal connection to the art form. She has also been involved in outreach initiatives in India, introducing Bharatanatyam to school children through programs like Parichay by Baithak Foundation and conducting dance appreciation workshops for municipal school students via Vistaar by NCPA. Radhika actively engages in original choreography, collaborative artistic projects such as 'Roots and Routes,' and workshops, fostering a vibrant community of learners and performers dedicated to the preservation and evolution of Bharatanatyam. Awards & Honours: Nritya Visharad, CCRT Scholarship for Young Artists.