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Sangeet
Natak Akademi awardee, Smt. Rani Karnaa was born in Hyderabad, Sind, now
in Pakistan, and nurtured under the great Gurus Nrityacharya Narayan Prasad,
Pandit Sunder Prasad and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Rani Karnaa is one of India's
foremost exponents of Kathak. She is known to have enriched and integrated
the great traditions of Jaipur and Lucknow Gharanas with an unusual sense
of aesthetic adventure. Her creative repertoire finds expression in integrated
compositions of Sahitya (Literature), Sangeet (Music)
and Nritya (Dance). Based on the verses of saint poet Surdas and Kaviguru Rabindranath
Tagore, her presentations of Navarasamalika, Virah Milan Raas, Anand Dhara, Pujarini,
Ritu Parva, Hori Khela and Shadh - choreographed in Kathak -as well as her other
choreographic presentations such as Satrang, Navarang, Indradhanush and Nritya Sandhya
Anant Yatra have received wide acclaim. Her work on the aesthetics of Kathak with
Dr. S. K. Saxena of Delhi University is now well recognized. Not on to be content with
laurels, Rani learnt Odissi with passion under the guidance of Guru Kelucharan
Mahapatra. She has contributed immensely in the rediscovery and enrichment of that
ancient tradition. Her presentation of Meghadoota in
that style bears testimony to her versatility.
Widely traveled in India and abroad, she divides
her time in performance and teaching. She was the
founder and head of the dance department of the
Calcutta School of Music from 1978 to 1993. She
also founded and headed the dance department at Ahana
- the music and dance wing of Aurobindo Bhavan, Calcutta
from 1980 to 1987.
and Nritya (Dance). Based on the verses of saint poet Surdas and Kaviguru Rabindranath
Tagore, her presentations of Navarasamalika, Virah Milan Raas, Anand Dhara, Pujarini,
Ritu Parva, Hori Khela and Shadh - choreographed in Kathak -as well as her other
choreographic presentations such as Satrang, Navarang, Indradhanush and Nritya Sandhya
Anant Yatra have received wide acclaim. Her work on the aesthetics of Kathak with
Dr. S. K. Saxena of Delhi University is now well recognized. Not on to be content with
laurels, Rani learnt Odissi with passion under the guidance of Guru Kelucharan
Mahapatra. She has contributed immensely in the rediscovery and enrichment of that
ancient tradition. Her presentation of Meghadoota in
that style bears testimony to her versatility.
Widely traveled in India and abroad, she divides
her time in performance and teaching. She was the
founder and head of the dance department of the
Calcutta School of Music from 1978 to 1993. She
also founded and headed the dance department at Ahana
- the music and dance wing of Aurobindo Bhavan, Calcutta
from 1980 to 1987.
