Harini Nilakantan
Bharatanatyam Teacher
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About
Harini Nilakantan is a Chicago-based professional dancer, movement artist, and choreographer originally from Chennai, India. She began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four in Bangalore, training under Smt. Sujatha Raghavendra. She later continued her studies with Smt. Usha Rahul in Pune, under whom she completed her Arangetram (professional debut)…
Journey Timeline
Age 4
Began Bharatanatyam training — Started in Bangalore with Smt. Sujatha Raghavendra.
2008
Completed Arangetram — At age 9, under Guru Smt. Usha Rahul in Pune.
2012–13
Featured Artist — At the Dasyam Festival.
2013
Relocated to Indianapolis
2020
Began creating dance content on TikTok — Her #SavageDanceChallenge with a Bharatanatyam twist went viral.
2023
Headliner — At World of Dance Chicago.
2024
Headliner — At World of Dance Chicago.
Late 2024
Entered first dance battle
2025
Champion, Chicago City Qualifiers — For Red Bull Dance Your Style.
2026
Lotus Fellow — Selected by Arts India US.
Current
Program Head of Dance — At Kalapriya Center for the Indian Performing Arts.
Current
Founder/Director — Of PatchWerk dance collective.
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
Performance videos will appear here.
Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- Featured Artist — Dasyam Festival
- 2023 · Headliner — World of Dance Chicago
- 2024 · Headliner — World of Dance Chicago
- 2025 · Champion, Chicago City Qualifiers — Red Bull Dance Your Style
- Groovy x Reveal Showcase Winner — RedBullDance (for PatchWerk)
- 2026 · Lotus Fellow — Arts India US
Media Coverage
- Breaking Barriers Through Movement with Harini Nilakantan: Headliner for World of Dance and Champion of RedBull Dance Your Style Chicago
Breaking Barriers Through Movement
- Dance Heritage in Modern Movement : Harini Nilakantan Explains
YouTube (TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING)
Dance School
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Students
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Testimonials
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Upcoming Workshops
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