Mandya Ramesh is a veteran theatre personality of Karnataka. He is an actor, director and organizer who is active in theatre since 36 years. He had keen interest in theatre and acting since his childhood and he entered the theatre in 1982 through theatre workshop of Ashok Badaradinni, a graduate of National School of Drama organized by Mandya Geleyara Balaga.

Then he joined ‘Ninasam’ theatre institute in 1984 and continued as an actor and technician in Ninasam Tirugaata for next 3 years. After that in 1989 he joined the national theatre repertory ‘Rangayana’ under the guidance of B.V.Karanth and worked there nearly eight and a half years.

He has worked with the great theatre directors like B.V.Karanth, Prasanna, Dr. B.Jayashree, Fitz Benvitz, Chidambara Rao Jambe, K.V.Subbanna, C. Basavalingaiah, Kannaiah  Lal, Suresh  Aanagalli, C.G.Krishnaswamy, Atul Tiwari, K.V.Akshara and many more.

When he was in Rangayana he toured to New York and other states of U. S. A. in 1993 to perform Kannada version of Greek Play “Hipolitus” and to Germany and Austria in 1996 to perform Shakespeare’s Play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

In 2002 he started “Natana School of Theatre arts” in Mysore to involve children and youth in performing arts. He has conducted many theatre workshops in Bangalore, Vitla, Rakshidi, Sakleshpur, Ponnampet, Sundahalli, Mandya, Nagamangala, Udupi, North Canara, Mysore and in many other places.

He has been invited by KKNC (Kannada Koota North California) to conduct theatre workshop and he has directed the plays both for adults and children in North California.

Kaveri Kannada Sangha of Washington DC has invited Mandya Ramesh as a jury for their theatre festival held at Washington DC.

The plays “Nayithippa”, “Alibaba” and “Ratnapaksi” directed by Mandya Ramesh were performed in prestigious National children theatre festival “Jashnebachpan” organised by N.S.D.

He wrote two books “Rangavalli” and “Kanavarike” related to his life and theatre experiences.

He has acted in more than 200 films including Janumada Jodi, Nagamandala, Kanasugara, Colours, Amruthadhaare, Maathad Maathad Mallige , Mussanje Maathu, Mata, Gaja Kesari,, Oggarane, Power, Ranna, Devara Naadalli, Kiragoorina Gaiyaligalu, Uppina Kaagada etc; and in many serials like Janani, Manethana, Onde Sullu, Photographer Parameshi, Manthana, Chi.Sou.Savithri, Maja Takies, Shreerasthu Shubhamasthu etc.

He has directed Mruccha Katika, Sankranthi, Maranayaka, Chora Charanadaasa, Nagamandala, Agni mattu Male, Sahebru Baruttare, Yuyuthsu, Ii Kelaginavaru, Alibaba, Neeli Kudure, Govina Haadu, Nayi Thippa, Yugantha, Vakra, Ratna Paksi, Ailudore, Chamachaluve, Samsaradalli Sa Ni Da Pa, Oorubhanga, Valase Hakkiya Haadu, Sayoo Aata, Naada Odanaadi, Subhadra Kalyana and many more plays.

He was honored as Best Young Theatre Director at “Samskaara Bharathi Natya Samaroha” held at Delhi in 1981.

 He was an expert committee member of Cultural Department, Government of India for 3 years from 2000 to 2003 and also an Ex – Member of Karnataka Natak Academy.

Mandya Ramesh has got Karnataka state best supporting actor award for ‘Naga Mandala’ and ‘Oggarane’, Knock Out award, Udaya TV best supporting actor award, K.V.Shankare Gowda Theatre award, Sandesha Award, Aryabhata award and many other honors.

He has served as the member of Ranga Samaja, the governing council of Rangayana for 3 years. He is also a visiting professor at the department of mass media and communication of University of Mysore.

For his excellence and valuable service towards theatre, Karnataka Nataka academy has felicitated him with the state award in 2017.