DR. Kollyur Ramachandra Rao is a National award-winning Yakshagana artist. He has carved out a niche for himself in depicting female lead roles in Yakshagana performances with finesse and elegance.

DR. Kollyur Ramachandra Rao is one of the pioneers of Tenkutittu’s female roles. He is a unique artist who has performed various female roles over the last six to seven decades with a unique sense of theatre consciousness complementing the Yakshagana heritage. His ability to put life and perform the Historical characters is perfect. His performance in Tulu plays is unmatched. Whatever be the situation his role playing ability with eloquence and elegance in all roles is a great example of his versatility.

Born in 1932 in Bantval Taluk, Ramachandra Rao spent his childhood in Kollyur that belonged to Kasaragod. Late Kuriya Vitthala Shastri was his Yakshagana Guru. Kollyur who travelled across Karnataka, Dharmasthala, Kateelu, Kundavu, Kadri Aataas, brought a kind of intrigue, discipline and glamour to the physical, mental and dance fields with female roles.

He created history by performing in Yakshagana along with the famous artists of all generations from all over coastal Karnataka regions like Senior Balipa Bhagavata, Agari Bhagavata, Belinja Maindappa Rai, Damodar Mandechcha, Nedle Narasimha Bhatta, Sheni, Samaga, Alake, Bolara, Narampadi, Mankude, Pulincha, Mijar and many others.

As a senior artist in the title, DR. Kollyur Ramachandra Rao is also called as the ‘limelight of the theatre’