Harini Nilakantan - Giving Up Dance for Something Else Was Never an Option (Chicago based Indian Classical Dancer)

Harini Nilakantan

My goal has always been to bring more visibility to Indian classical styles of dance and push creative boundaries when I choreograph

1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

I'm an Indian classical dancer and choreographer born in Chennai, India, and based in Chicago; currently pursuing a Master's student in the Museum and Exhibition Studies (MUSE) department at UIC (the University of Illinois at Chicago) while balancing the role of choreographer for Chicago Adaa - a Bollywood fusion dance team affiliated with the Desi Dance Network. 

I started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of four under Guru Smt. Sujatha Raghavendra in Bangalore, and then continued my tutelage and completed my Arangetram under Guru Smt. Usha Rahul's Abhinayadarpanam in Pune. My journey then led me back to Chennai where I started training - and still train under Kalaimamani Guru Smt. Roja Kannan's Bharathanatyalaya.

 

2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue dancing and how did you start?

It's been an amazing, interesting, and somewhat mind-boggling experience from then to now, as dance has always been a constant in my life. My parents say that I've always moved to any beats they've played, and it's thanks to their encouragement that I am where I am today. To be honest, even when discussing potential future careers it was always "Dancer and ____" never "dancer or" - giving up dance for something else was never an option.

As for the social media side of things, well, I stumbled upon content creation when the Pandemic struck and I've just been going with the flow ever since! My goal has always been to bring more visibility to Indian classical styles of dance and push creative boundaries when I choreograph. I love how the body flows and can make such intricate movements to music, and the ability to express and words to life with a few gestures is what sealed the deal for me.

 

3. Who is your favourite dancer and why?

Oh, it's so hard to name one person. But if I absolutely had to choose? Madhuri Dixit-Nene ma'am. I could go on and on about how graceful she is. But apart from that, it's her expressions and form that drew me to her dancing and has me mesmerized every time I watch her dance videos. 

She's the epitome of versatility - how she does justice to each style of dance the choreographer pulls from. Her grace and execution of such intricate choreo made me want to explore more styles of dance and challenge myself. I aspire to move like her. I really do. 

 

4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a dancer?

Film/Commercials, background artiste roles, music videos, musicals, stage shows  - these are a few more obvious opportunities to name a few. However, there's a vast array of opportunities from choreographing dance sequences to becoming a movement coach for actors/therapists. 

 

5. Is formal training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?

I would definitely recommend formal training to better understand the nuances of the style of choice, but training purely based on talent isn't impossible. Discipline, maintaining one's health/body, dedication to the craft, the willingness to learn from others - are key factors that will shape a self-taught dancer's skill immensely. 

 

6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?

Don't be afraid to explore the style/whatever you're pursuing in-depth. There's never a stopping point for learning, always be open to new ideas - especially ones that make you uncomfortable - because these ideas are what will keep you going and what will allow you to have conversations with other artists like yourself and will definitely veer you away from a one-dimensional school of thought. 

 

7. Which is your favourite book and why?

Ah, another tough one. I'd say for now? Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I rewatched the series on Amazon and that led me to re-read this comedic gem. I read it for a good time, and for the interactions between Crowley and Aziraphale. 

Interviewed by - Jayasree