Born in New York’s Bronx borough in the 1970s, breakdancing has become a phenomenon around the world and a staple of urban youth culture, performed everywhere from the slums of Mumbai to the streets of Cape Town.

The dance is set to make its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games and Rodrigues hopes such recognition would “legitimise it in the eyes of parents” and encourage more Indian youths to try the sport.

Although there are no verified figures on the number of male and female breakers in India, Rodrigues estimates that the competitive community today includes some 800 men – and just 40 women.

Although Rodrigues has studied contemporary dance and ballet, today she mainly draws on the skills she has picked up learning yoga, the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu, and Bharatnatyam – a dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu’s temples over 2,000 years ago.

“All these elements are part of who I am … it’s such an advantage as an Indian to be able to tap into them and use them to create my own version as a b-girl,” she says. Keen to boost female participation in the predominately male sport, she organises summer dance camps for children through her studio Break Brahma. “I love teaching girls because they are so uninhibited at that age,” she says.

“Breaking isn’t just about strength, whatever some guys might think … it’s also about flexibility and patience. “Being a b-girl is my way of redefining femininity, by combining masculine and feminine elements which are part of all of us.”

And, because the sport is intrinsically a freestyle form where dancers improvise to the music, Rodrigues says aspiring breakers who can’t afford classes can get tips from social media such as YouTube videos.

“Breaking is innately cool and accessible,” she says. “You don’t need fancy gear, you don’t even need shoes, you can do it anywhere.”