Mandya Ramesh

formal theatre journey began in 1982, eventually leading him to train at the prestigious Ninasam theatre institute in 1984, where he emerged as an exceptional talent. In 1989, he joined Rangayana, working extensively under the mentorship of the legendary theatre practitioner B. V. Karanth. Deeply committed to the stage, Ramesh founded his own renowned theatre training institution, Natana Rangashaale, in Mysore in 2002.

Ramesh transitioned to the silver screen with his feature film debut in T. S. Nagabharana's blockbuster *Janumada Jodi* (1996). He quickly gained widespread recognition for his remarkable supporting role in the critically acclaimed classic *Nagamandala* (1997), a performance that earned him the prestigious Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. Over a prolific career spanning several decades and hundreds of films, he has delivered memorable character and comedic performances in major hits such as *Kanasugara* (2001), *Mata* (2006), *Mussanjemaatu* (2008), and *Oggarane* (2014).

Beyond cinema, Ramesh has been a prominent and beloved figure on Kannada television, notably entertaining audiences in the hit comedy show *Majaa Talkies*. For his immense and lifelong contributions to theatre and the performing arts, he was honored with the Karnataka Nataka Academy Award in 2017.