Harini Nilakantan (she/they), is a Chicago based professional dancer, movement artist, and choreographer from Chennai, India. She has over 20 years of training and experience in various dance forms, most notably in Bharatanatyam, Waacking, Hiphop, and recently is studying Chicago Footwork.

Harini aims to create a flourishing space for South Asian artists in the industry and outside of it,  by combining her experience as a prominent dancer and teacher with her knowledge of navigating art institutions as a holder of a Masters in Museum Studies. 

Harini is the Program Head of Dance at the Kalapriya Center for the Indian Performing Arts.

She also served as the Lead Choreographer for Movement Of Desis’ winning Competitive branch for two years, and is a current member of axisCard, and founder/director of Patchwerk.

She is a two time Headliner for World Of Dance, Chicago, and is the current Champion of the RedBull Dance Your Style Chicago City Qualifier 2025. 

Credits: Tesher, Shreea Kaul, Bhuvana Ananth, Diljit Dosanjh