She has trained over 200 students in Westchester County NY, for the past 32 years, thus passing the traditions of Bharata Natyam and Indian traditions and culture to the next generation. She has directed over 30 dance productions from traditional to modern themes. Her performance, choreography, and direction has been received nationally and internationally.
Dr. Rau received numerous felicitations including the Natya Nava Ratna Award under the auspices of Natya Kalalayam from her Guru Dakshinamoorthy Pillai and from the former President of India, R. President Venkatraman. The Senate of the State of New York, the Westchester County Board of Legislators and Arts Westchester among others have recognized her work for enriching the culture of New York.
Nalini Rau has a doctorate in Theoretical Linguistics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a Masters in Linguistics from the University of Illinois and University of Delhi.