Harini N C

🪔 About

Harini Nilakantan is a Chicago-based professional dancer, movement artist, and choreographer originally from Chennai, India. She has over 20 years of training and experience in various dance forms, with a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam. Harini began her Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four in Bangalore under Guru Smt. Sujatha Raghavendra. She continued her tutelage and completed her Arangetram (professional debut) at age nine under Guru Smt. Usha Rahul's Abhinayadarpanam in Pune. Her classical training further deepened under the guidance of Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Roja Kannan at Bharathanatyalaya in Chennai. Nilakantan is known for her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Indian classical dance with contemporary styles such as Waacking, Hiphop, and Chicago Footwork, aiming to create a flourishing space for South Asian artists. She holds a Master's in Museum Studies, which informs her approach to navigating art institutions and preserving dance heritage. Harini serves as the Program Head of Dance at the Kalapriya Center for the Indian Performing Arts in Chicago. She is also the founder and director of the Chicago-based dance collective, Patchwerk. Her performance career includes being a featured artist at the Dasyam Festival and a two-time headliner at World of Dance Chicago. She gained significant recognition by winning the RedBull Dance Your Style Chicago City Qualifier in 2025. In 2026, she was selected as an Arts India US Lotus Fellow. Awards & Honours: RedBull Dance Your Style Chicago City Qualifier Champion (2025), Lotus Fellowship (2026), Groovy x Reveal Showcase Winner.