Rukshikaa Elankumaran is a sincere and passionate Bharathanatyam artiste. Her dance journey began in Australia at the age of three under the tutelage of her mother and guru, Smt. Meena Elankumaran, and she completed her arangetram at the age of eight alongside her brothers in 2007. She is currently a disciple of Guru Smt. Priyadarshini Govind, whose nuanced approach to abhinaya and traditional repertoire has deeply shaped her artistic sensibilities.
Rukshikaa has performed extensively in India, Australia, and the USA. Most recently, she toured as a core ensemble dancer in Guru Smt. Priyadarshini Govind’s acclaimed production Yavanika, performing across twelve cities in India and the United States. Her accolades include the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival Choreography Competition Award and the Krishna Priya National Award.
Her choreographic works include Amma, commissioned by Multicultural Arts Victoria, and The Pursuit of Happiness, commissioned by the Indian Performing Arts Convention and presented by Apsaras Arts. Her short works have been staged at platforms including the World Tamil Conference, Victorian Premier’s State Reception, and the Indian Film Festival Melbourne (a classical tribute for A.R. Rahman).
Rukshikaa is also trained in Carnatic vocal and is a psychologist completing her Doctor of Psychology, through which she explores the intersection of Bharathanatyam and psychological wellbeing.
In this recital, she presents a traditional Bharathanatyam Margam.