Dedicating her life to this art, Smt. Rani David founded Kalairani Natya Saalai (KNS) 15 years ago. She was born into an orthodox Christian family. Her illustrious father, Pastor S. Thomas, was a zealous pioneer who started a religious radio program, Voice of Prophecy. Rani's mother recognized early on, in her four-year old daughter, an exceptional ability to choreograph Indian dances. With the foresight that only a mother can have, she expressed a desire that Rani be given formal training in dance. Pastor Thomas, however, refused to entertain the idea and felt that it would be unethical to pay for a traditionally Hindu art form out of his salary from a Christian mission. Thus, Rani, accompanying her friend to all dance lessons, spent her formative years learning and performing exclusively through her keen powers of observation. Seeing how determined Rani was to pursue her interest and education in this art, her father eventually gave in to the idea of Rani taking lessons on the condition that she finish college, find employment and thereby pay for the lessons herself.

Once in college, Rani's skill was recognized by the college president, Dr. M. E. Cherian. His endorsement instilled in her a sense of confidence and pride in this art and in the fascinating culture and tradition from which it was born. The unleashing of a fierce creativity had begun. After years later of childhood acquiescence, with her first paycheck, Rani had her first formal dance lesson with Shri Shanmugasundaram in the Tanjore style and later with Smt Mythili Ragahavan, a direct disciple of Smt. Rukmini Arundale of Kalekshetra. Rani studied Nattuvangam under Shri Seetharama Sharma and Shri ‘Adyar’ Lakshman.

To date, Rani, who has a minor in Religious Philosophy, has choreographed more than 300 dances on a variety of themes. To highlight a few Christian items: the five emotions of Mary when Christ was born; the little Kurathi whose life-long desire is to meet Christ hears of his death and then sees Him ascending to heaven; Navarasam, the nine emotions in Christ's life; the recitation of Psalms 23 as an integral element to a dance; Amman-type of dance on Mother Mary; a theme of Psalms 103; dispute between Martha and Mary; Ruth's love story; the story of Samson and many more. And today: a padhavarnam on the 'Second Coming of Christ' and Dasaniyamaha - stories relevant to the Ten Commandments. The list of religious themes are inexhaustible, as are Rani's unique approaches to the innovative world of dance.