One of the foremost exponents of Kathak and Odissi, Rani Karna learnt dancing under greats like Nrityacharya Narayan Prasad, Pandit Sunder Prasad and Birju Maharaj. Her creative repertoire finds expression in integrated compositions of music , dance and literature. Her presentation of 'Navarasamalika', based on the verses of Saint Poet Surdasa, has received wide acclaim. Widely travelled in India and abroad, Rani Karna teaches at Calcutta and has done considerable research work on the aesthetics of Kathak. She was awarded the 'President's Gold Medal' and the 'Order of the Queen' from the Queen of Laos.