Choreographer: Songs of the Bulbul
Rani Khanam, a distinguished Kathak dancer, is celebrated for her sensitive and insightful interpretations of the Lucknow Gharana. With over three decades of professional experience, she trained under maestros like Ustad Fattan Khan, Smt. Reba Vidyarthi, and Pt. Birju Maharaj, graduating with top honours from Kathak Kendra, New Delhi. Her performances are marked by devotion and dedication, leaving audiences spiritually fulfilled.
Rani Khanam has developed a unique style that, while rooted in tradition, reflects a deep understanding of Kathak, setting new standards and inspiring younger dancers. As a guru, she follows the traditional Guru Shishya parampara, teaching many students the intricacies of Kathak. Her knowledge of Islamic and Sufi texts has led to unique repertoires of Sufiana poetry and Islamic verses, earning acclaim.
Her choreography, encompassing over 200 productions, has been praised by diverse audiences, including dignitaries like the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister of India. She experiments with various themes, from traditional to creative and issue-based, engaging in activities such as teaching, organising festivals, and connecting with youth audiences. International and Indian art critics regard her as an excellent and innovative dancer.
Rani Khanam is an empanelled artist in the “Outstanding Category” of the ICCR, under the ‘senior artist category’ of SNA, and a “Top Graded” artiste at Delhi Doordarshan. She has collaborated with Sufi musicians, singers, and dancers from Egypt, Turkey, Yemen, Iraq, Kenya, Morocco, Indonesia, China, and Bosnia.
In her community-based work, Rani Khanam addresses social issues through her art, creating choreography that raises awareness and builds social bridges. Her critically acclaimed production “Black and White” highlights the rights of Indian Muslim women and broader social justice issues.
She has promoted Indian classical dance through performances, lecture demonstrations, and workshops across India, in collaboration with organisations like Spic Macay, ICCR, and the New York Performing Arts Library. Her performances have graced prestigious festivals such as Natya Kala Conference in Chennai, Khajuraho Festival in MP, and Salaam Festival in London.
As a choreographer, she has orchestrated large-scale productions involving thousands of dancers, showcased at events like the G-20 Ministers meeting in Varanasi and the Lusophone International Festival in Goa. Her film and theatre choreography includes projects for UNICEF and Siddharth Basu.
Rani Khanam’s contributions to dance have earned her numerous awards, including the Women Achievement Award 2022 by Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, the National Integration Award 2017, and the Loreal Femina Women Award 2014. As the founder of AAMAD Dance Centre, an NGO promoting Kathak, she continues to cultivate and groom the finest dancers, leaving a lasting impact on the classical dance world.
Follow Rani Khanam – @ranikhanam.kathak
Page last updated June 2024
