About Maya Krishna Rao
Maya Krishna Rao is an Indian solo theatre artist, stand-up comedian and social activist. Her work spans multiple genres including dance theatre, comedy, multimedia performance and theatre in education. Among her best-known productions are Khol Do, A Deep Fried Jam, Ravanama and Heads Are Meant for Walking Into.
Rao received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010, one of India's most prestigious honours in the performing arts. Five years later she returned the award, citing what she described as a growing atmosphere of intolerance in India.
Rao was born in New York City in 1953. She trained in Kathakali with Mampuzha Madhava Panicker and Sadanam Balakrishnan. From 1985 to 1990, she was an associate professor at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.
Videos (62)
Videos 1 to 24 of 62.
2:28Bhanu Rao at 92!
54.2K views
9:00WALK - Maya Krishna Rao
17.8K views
5:58Bhanumathi Rao performs at 92
12.4K views
9:34Maya Krishna Rao : Comedy
4.1K views
3:09Ravanama - Maya Krishna Rao
2.8K views
6:47Walk
2.7K views
4:54Maya Rao dresses with the Preamble of Indian Constitution
2.3K views
6:18A Deeper Fried Jam - Maya Krishna Rao
1.9K views
8:49Walk - Maya Krishna Rao
1.3K views
51:40Khol Do
1.2K views
41:55Ravana - Kathakali by Maya Krishna Rao
1.1K views
6:57Quality Street Maya K Rao
805 views
15:05Maya Rao: ARTISTS UNITE! Delhi
789 views
12:41Can You Hear the Stamps?
777 views
14:33Not In My Name, Delhi
750 views
3:58WALK - at Shipra Mall - Maya Krishna Rao
693 views
5:36Heads Are Meant For Walking Into - Maya Krishna Rao
531 views
3:58WALK...together
527 views
37:25Lockdown Stories I - Paru. Maya Rao
520 views
11:09You Really Want To Know My Story? Excerpts
475 views
16:49WALK, Women In Black
429 views
9:41Lockdown Stories II Maya Rao
393 views
18:35Kaisi Khushboo Hai? (Where From This Aroma?) + Garlands of Shaheen Bagh
388 views
4:39The Name Is Woman
304 viewsFrequently asked questions
Who is Maya Krishna Rao?
Maya Krishna Rao is an Indian solo theatre artist, stand-up comedian and social activist whose work spans dance theatre, comedy, multimedia performance and theatre in education.
What are Maya Krishna Rao's best-known productions?
Her best-known productions include Khol Do, A Deep Fried Jam, Ravanama and Heads Are Meant for Walking Into.
What award did Maya Krishna Rao receive?
Rao received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010, one of the most prestigious honours in the performing arts in India.
Why did Maya Krishna Rao return her award?
Five years after receiving it, Rao returned the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, citing what she described as a growing atmosphere of intolerance in India.
