Nalini Rao

Nalini Rao is an Associate Professor of World Art at Soka University of America. Her academic career includes positions at the University of Southern California, University of Hawaii Hilo, and California State Universities. She specializes in Indian art, archaeology, and religious studies, focusing on Hindu monasteries, relic worship, and pre-modern royal iconography.

Education: PhD in Art History from UCLA (1991), PhD in Ancient History and Archaeology from University of Mysore (1981), MA in History of Art from University of Marathwada (1973).

Research Interests: Hindu monastic institutions, Buddhist art, royal iconography, and maritime archaeology. She explores intersections between art, religion, and power in pre-modern India.

Key Themes in Publications: Analysis of Vijayanagara royal imagery, Jain architecture in Sravanabelagola, and ritual symbolism in South Indian festivals. Her work bridges archaeology, art history, and cultural anthropology.

Awards: Includes the IGNCA Award for Narrative Art (2014), PBRC Research Award (2010), and multiple fellowships for art history research.

Teaching & Outreach: Courses span World Art, Asian Art History, and contemporary visual culture. Curated exhibitions on Indus Valley Civilization and modern Indian art.