Malavika began her studies in dance at the age of seven training under Guru Kalyanasundaram of the Tanjavur School and Guru Rajaratnam of the Vazhuvoor School. She also studied abhinaya with Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan and the Odissi dance style with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Ramani Jena.

Performing for the first time in Mumbai when she was twelve, Malavika has been dancing for more than two and a half decades to diverse audiences in cities and towns all over India. A firm believer in the continuity of the Indian classical tradition, Malavika presents Bharata Natyam as a vibrant and meaningful dance form of today to audiences across the world. As a foreign critic observed, 'Malavika's most remarkable achievement is her ability to obey the rules of Bharata Natyam, yet bring non-specialist viewers close to its heartbeat by making every moment seem personal, spontaneous and even contemporary.

'Malavika's performances have been acclaimed by critics of leading newspapers in India and abroad - The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Le Monde, Le Figaro, The Washington Post, The Independent, The Guardian, The Sunday Herald.

Malavika's exceptional artistry was featured in the BBC / WNET television documentary 'Dancing', a 9 hour series on world dance. A film 'Samarpanam', specially commissioned by the Government of India, has been made on her life and work.

Closely associated with Malavika's dance career is Saroja Kamakshi who works with her as creative collaborator in the areas of conceptualization and presentation.

She has received the following awards: Padma Shree from the President of India, Kalaimamani from the State Government, Mrinalini Sarabhai Award for Excellence in Classical Dance, Nrityachoodamani from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Awards from Sanskriti, Haridas Sammelan, SNA award for 2002 by Central Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi., Senior Fellowships and Production Grants from Department of Culture, Government of India for creating new work and extending the repertoire.