Maya Krishna Rao

🪔 About

Maya Krishna Rao, born in 1953 in New York City, US, is a distinguished Indian theatre artist, stand-up comedian, and social activist. She moved to India at a young age and pursued her education at Modern School, New Delhi, Miranda House, Delhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she earned a Master's degree in political science. Rao also holds a degree in theatre arts from the University of Leeds. Her artistic journey is deeply rooted in Indian classical dance, as she is a trained Kathakali artist, having received her training from Mampuzha Madhava Panicker and Sadanam Balakrishnan. While she does not strictly adhere to the Kathakali code in all her contemporary performances, her classical training serves as a significant source of inspiration for her diverse works, which span dance theatre, comedy, multi-media, and theatre in education. Rao is celebrated for her solo performances and her engagement with sociopolitical themes. Her well-known shows include 'Khol Do', 'A Deep Fried Jam', 'Ravanama', 'Heads Are Meant for Walking Into', 'Loose Woman', and 'Walk'. She co-founded "Theatre Union," a street theatre group, and has been instrumental in theatre education. She served as an Associate Professor in the department of Acting at the National School of Drama, New Delhi, from 1985 to 1990, and continued as visiting faculty. In 2013, she was appointed professor at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi, where she designed and taught a post-graduate Diploma programme called TEST (Theatre for Education and Social Transformation). In recognition of her contributions to Indian theatre, Maya Krishna Rao received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010. However, she returned the award five years later in October 2015, citing the growth of intolerance in India and protesting incidents like the Dadri lynching. She is known for her powerful issue-based performances and her commitment to social justice and political activism. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2010).