Rani Karnaa

Rani Karnaa was an Indian classical dancer, known for her proficiency in the Indian dance form of Kathak, and regarded by many as one of the greatest exponents of the art form.

Biography

Rani Karnaa was born in 1939, in a Sindhi family of amirs Her father, Assandas Karnaa belonged originally to the Karnamalani family of Larkana region. The family name of Karnamalani, over a period of time, got abbreviated to Karanani and eventually to Karnaa. In 1942, her family moved to Delhi when the young Rani was three years old. learning Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Manipuri.

Rani Karnaa performed extensively across India and outside, She died on 7 May 2018, aged 79.

Legacy Apart from contributing to the propagation of Kathak through her performances, Rani Karnaa is credited with integrating the traditions of Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas. Many critics have acknowledged her contributions in bringing different cultural traditions into Kathak, by integrating their literature, music and dance. She has also received many other awards and honours such as: Vice-President's Gold Medal - Shankar's Weekly - 1954 Order of the Queen of Laos - 1964 Sangeet Varidhi - Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi - 1977 Vijay Ratna - Indian International Friendship Society, New Delhi - 1990 Senior Fellow - Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resources Development - Government of India Sangeet Natak Akademi Award - 1996 Honorary Award - Akhil Bhartiya Sindhi Boli and Sahitya Sabha - 1998