We recently had the chance to connect with Radhika Karandikar and have shared our conversation below.
Radhika, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Just recently, I gave birth to my baby girl. It is most certainly a life-changing event, and my day has been filled with mommy duties only. Everyone in the house is working 24×7 for baby and she has us wrapped around her little finger!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Radhika Karandikar, a Bharatanatyam practitioner, choreographer and instructor based in San Diego, CA. Being a freelance dance artist, I spend most of my day practicing and creating dance/movement, project-based collaborations at certain times, and weekends are usually spent in teaching kids and adults.
I’m a faculty member at Abinaya Arts Academy, founded by Mrs. Aler Krishnan, where I have the privilege of working closely with students and helping shape the next generation of Bharatanatyam dancers.
I work with students across all levels, from very young beginners to advanced and seasoned practitioners. While strong foundational training is important to me, I also enjoy guiding intermediate and advanced students through more nuanced aspects of the form, such as abhinaya, rhythm, and choreography. As a teacher, I focus not only on technical clarity but also on helping students develop a deeper, more personal connection to the art form through structured training and individual mentorship.
My commitment to dance education goes beyond the classroom. I stay actively involved in creating original choreography, collaborating on artistic projects, and leading workshops that bring together dancers, musicians, and audiences. For me, it’s important to build spaces where learning and performance feel connected, and where the art form can be shared in a meaningful, collective way.
My larger vision is to help create a vibrant and inclusive community of learners and performers who are deeply invested in both preserving and evolving Bharatanatyam. By encouraging curiosity, discipline, and artistic expression in my students, I hope to contribute to a strong and growing Indian classical arts presence in the United States—one where tradition and innovation can exist side by side.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom. She saw my potential long before I did—especially during moments when I was still unsure of myself. Her belief in me was steady and intuitive, and it gave me the confidence to grow into who I am today, both as an artist and as a person. As someone who would always be my critic more than an encourager, it was very difficult for me to understand her belief in me. She strived to make me better at my craft and at my humanitarian ethical side. But it’s only now that I understand where she came from and how immensely helpful it has been for me. Now when roles have shifted, I will probably try to teach my daughter the same and strive to make her a strong woman.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I do not believe that hiding pain is always necessary. It is one of the most natural human feelings and needs an outlet. Every person experiences pain on a wide spectrum and no matter how more or less it is, they need to let it out for their own sake. As artists, we have the privilege of transforming it into another medium and turning it into, for lack of a better phrase, a piece of art.
I was young, barely 23, and in love, which was followed by a terrible heartbreak. My dreams of getting married to the ‘love of my life’ and starting a family with him were shattered and I almost went into depression. But through this dark phase, I was surrounded by friends who were closer than family and we were all working on a pretty deep dance production, where my mentor pushed me to use my pain and transform it into word, meaning and movement. The outcome was beautiful and something I still draw a lot from. It was the first time I got exposed to the concept of ‘transforming pain into art’. But never did I feel the need to hide my pain for it. It is better to gently accept it and still be able to use it to your disposal while moving to it. Its beautiful to be able to feel such emotions time and again by tapping into them. But it is equally important to not keep romanticizing them and getting out of these emotions when needed.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—but it’s a curated version of the real me. What people see publicly, including on social media, is grounded in who I truly am and what I value, especially my relationship with art, teaching, and community. At the same time, I’m intentional about what I share. Social media might show my performances, rehearsals, or moments from the classroom, but it doesn’t capture the full quiet work behind the scenes—the doubts, the discipline, or the deeply personal moments that shape the process. So while the public version of me is authentic, it’s just one layer of a much fuller, more nuanced reality.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes—but I also want to be honest and say that praise *does* matter. It’s a powerful source of encouragement, and feeling seen or acknowledged can be deeply motivating. At the same time, I’ve learned not to let praise be the sole reason I give my best. Much of my work happens quietly—practicing, teaching, creating—often without immediate recognition. I show up fully because I care about the integrity of the work and my relationship with it, while still appreciating praise as something that uplifts, affirms, and fuels me along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://radhika.dance/
- Instagram: @radhikakarandikar27
- Facebook: Radhika Karandikar
- Youtube: Radhika Karandikar
Image Credits
Sejas Mistry
Vikram Bhide
Sanchez Productions
