About Nikhita:

My practice is deeply rooted in my Indian heritage, based primarily on Indian classical dances such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi, but also draws heavily from dances of the MENAHT (Middle East, North Africa, Hellas, Turkey) region (i.e. bellydance or raqs sharqi) and burlesque. It is also influenced by my previous studies of martial arts and current study of the spiritual practices of yoga and tantra.

My dance allows me to express myself and helps me connect physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually not just to myself but to others, and I hope that infusing the movement vocabulary of classical dance styles with the sensuality and earthiness of bellydance and burlesque will help to inspire and liberate women, the LGBTQ community and the South Asian community at home and abroad.

I investigate questions of identity, sexuality, heritage and freedom of expression through my work and am currently in a process of research and development for a full length solo show I hope to put on stage for public audiences in the next year or two. As well as physical dance I also engage in academic research to enhance my knowledge and bring understanding and respect to what I do and contextualise my work.