Maya Krishna Rao

Maya Krishna Rao (born 1953) is a solo Indian theatre artist, stand-up comedian and social activist. Her well-known shows include Khol Do', 'A Deep Fried Jam','Ravanama and Heads Are Meant for Walking Into. Her performances cover many genres - dance theatre, comedy, multi-media, and theatre in education. She is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, which she returned five years later citing growth of intolerance in India.

Biography Born in 1953 in New York City, Rao moved to India at a young age. Rao studied at Modern School, New Delhi. She completed her bachelor's degree from Miranda House, Delhi and received a Master's degree in political science from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. She was inspired by her mother Bhanumathi Rao, who was associated with Malayalam theatre in the 1960s

Rao is a trained Kathakali artist; she received her training from Mampuzha Madhava Panicker and Sadanam Balakrishnan.

She is a co-founder of "Theatre Union", a street theatre group. She was Associate Professor in the department of Acting at the National School of Drama, New Delhi, between 1985 and 1990.

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Plays Loose Woman Om Swaha Dafa No. 180 Khol Do A Deep Fried Jam Heads Are Meant for Walking Into Quality Street The Non-Stop Feel Good Show Hand Over Fist – perspectives on masculinities Lady Macbeth Revisited Ravanama Walk