Rani Karnaa

Renowned Kathak dance Rani Karnaa is among the senior exponents of the art. Trained by illustrious masters, Pandit Narayan, Prasad and Sunder Prasad of the Jaipur gharana, and Guru Birju Maharj and Shambhu Maharaj of the Lucknow gharana she has developed an integrated style of performance blending the two schools. She is known for her distinctive aesthetic approach to Kathak. The guidance of Professor S.K.Saxena, an aesthetician, has helped her in this regard. Her emphasis on beauty of ang in Kathak and her treatment of padas evoking the beauty of the sahitya are distinct features of her art.

Rani Karnaa has been performing for over three decades. She has taught dance at the Sangeet Bharati, Delhi, and later at the Calcutta School of music. She has participated in all the major dance festivals in India and many events abroad. Her compositions like Indradhanush, Anand Dhara, Navarasamalika, and Virali Milan Raas have been acclaimed by critics.