Malavika Santhosh (she/her)

Malavika Santhosh is a dance graduate from the Jai Govinda Dance Academy in Vancouver. She received her initial training in the South Indian dance forms: Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Keralanadanam under RLV Anil Kumar in Dubai, UAE. Upon moving to Vancouver, she joined Mandala Arts and Culture to continue her Bharatanatyam training and completed her Bharatanatyam Arangetram in April 2009 under the guidance of Guru Jai Govinda. As a Bharatanatyam soloist, Malavika has danced at several events around Vancouver, including the opportunity to perform for PM Narendra Modi's visit to Vancouver and was also invited to Toronto to perform at the Beyond Boundaries Dance Symposium as a New Generation Dancer in Canada. Recently, she performed in the dance theatre production of Shyama, presented by Diwali in BC. Malavika continues to perform and teach workshops in Toronto and Vancouver

Birthplace: Thiruvalla, Kerala

Training: Bharatanatyam

Companies: Mandala Arts & Culture (Jai Govinda Dance Academy)

Why Nova Dance: Unexpected, Curious, Feeling

My most cherished moment as a dancer is the echo of ghungroos upon entering the stage.

I love dance because it makes me feel one with my body - full of energy, alive and free.

For Nova Dance: Svāhā, Kisanii Hub