Harini is seen posing with her hands painted red and framing her face

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 is currently 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 member of axisCard, and founder/director of Patchwerk.

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

Harini is currently a part of the touring cast for A.R Rahman - The Symphonic Experience.

Credits: A.R Rahman,Diljit Dosanjh, Alexis y Fido, Tesher, Shreea Kaul, Bhuvana Ananth



Photo Credits: Dmytro Cherkaskyi

CURRENT PROJECTS

A.R Rahman -
The Symphonic Experience

Renowned worldwide as A. R. Rahman, the celebrated composer, performer and producer has transformed the landscape of Indian film and contemporary music with a sound that transcends borders and generations. With more than 160 film soundtracks and albums spanning multiple languages, Rahman’s extraordinary body of work includes iconic films such as Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar, Ponniyin Selvan, Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. He’ll be playing his greatest hits in Orchestral format in “A.R.Rahman - The Symphonic Experience”

A. R. Rahman, Conductor: Jonathan Taylor Rush
Supporting cast: Rohith Jayaraman (Vocals, Kanjira), Aditya Rao (Vocals), Pragathi Guruprasad (Vocals),
Heer (Vocals), Vishweshwar Nagarajan (Flute), Akshara (Vocals), Alisha Thomas (Vocals)

Dancers: Harini Nilakantan, Yamini Kalluri

Photography by Karthick Ram
@photobydreamz - Instagram

Past Projects

Choreography, Modeling, Creative Direction, Live Performances.

A black and white photo of a woman with dark hair, wearing traditional earrings, and holding her hand to her eye as if looking through a monocle. Overlaid with red text advertising an event at the Museum of Asian Texans featuring Harini Nilakantan, titled "Untitled Homeland," scheduled for October 18 from 12 to 4 PM, with a background of orange, white, and green abstract design and text in multiple languages.
A woman standing barefoot in front of a beige background, dressed in a red and black outfit with a black jacket and sheer red fabric, posing with one hand on her shoulder and looking at the camera.

Live Performance
Museum of Asian Texans, 2025

Client
The Urban Indian

Back on 74 - Chicago Remake

Solo freestyle at Duel of Styles 3

Harini Nilakantan DANCE REEL - 2025

Interview with FOX32 about RedBull Dance Your Style, winning the Chicago City Qualifier.

Headliner - Chicago 2024

A woman with long black hair, wearing a pink top, black pants, and white sneakers, sits on the ground in a lush green forest, gesturing gracefully with her arms raised and looking to the side.
Performer in black crop top and patterned pants performing contemporary dance on stage with blue lighting and black curtains.

Client
The Urban Indian
The “Riha” Dance Tee
Choreographer, Dancer, Model

A young woman dressed in traditional Indian attire performing a classical dance. She wears a pink and purple saree, ornate jewelry including earrings, necklaces, and a headpiece. Her hair is decorated with flowers, and she has a small red bindi on her forehead. She is making a gesture with her right hand, against a plain light background.

Client
Patchwerk - AVATAR
Urbanite Chicago
Choreographer/Dancer/Director

Year
April 2024

A woman performing on stage, wearing sunglasses, a black bra, a black and white blazer, and a decorative belt, with her arm raised and long hair flowing.

Client
Sundays on State
Buddhaham - An Ode to Shiva Within

Client
COVRY - Sunglasses
Choreographer/Dancer
Dir. Gracie Koh

Year
October 2025