Draft:Aradhyula Koteswara Rao

Aradhyula Koteswara Rao
Born	Aradhyula Koteswara Rao (1958-11-26) November 26, 1958 Ananthavaram, Kollur Mandal, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nationality	Indian
Other names	AKR
Education	B.A. from Nagarjuna University
Occupation	Theatre actor
Years active	1972–present
Spouse	Anjani Kumari (m.1984)
Children	3
Parent(s)	Aradhyula Venkata Subbarao, Swarajyalakshmi
Awards	State Drama Award (1992) – Pandavodyogam Nandi Award (2003) – Sri Krishna Rayabharam National-level Drama Prize (2007) – Usha Parinayam NATA Cultural Excellence Award (2016) **Honorary Doctorate (2023)** – Global Human Peace University, Delaware

Aradhyula Koteswara Rao (born November 26, 1958) is an Indian stage actor known for his contributions to Telugu mythological theatre. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he has performed in over 4,000 plays across India and the United States. He is celebrated for his portrayals of characters like Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Arjuna, Narada, and Bilwamangala, among others.

Early Life

Koteswara Rao was born in Ananthavaram village, Kollur Mandal, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, to Aradhyula Venkata Subbarao, a respected stage actor, and Swarajyalakshmi. He is the sixth of ten children from a traditional farming family. He completed his primary education in Ananthavaram and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from VSR College, Tenali. He married Anjani Kumari in 1984, and they have three children.

Stage Career

Koteswara Rao began his artistic journey inspired by his father, participating in social plays during his school years and later assisting with music by playing the harmonium. From 1972 to 1979, he supported major theatre actors as a musician.

In 1979, he debuted in the mythological stage play Pandavodyogam, playing Lord Krishna. He later portrayed key roles in productions such as:

• Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham – as Lord Rama
• Gayo Pakhyanam – as Krishna and Arjuna
• Sri Krishna Tulabharam – as Krishna and Narada
• Chintamani – as Bilwamangala and Bhavani Shankara
• Usha Parinayam – as Aniruddha
• Gautama Buddha – title role

In 1984, he founded the troupe Sri Venkata Lakshmi Durga Natya Mandali, featuring leading Andhra theatre actors and expanding performances across the Telugu states. He collaborated with eminent personalities like Shanmukham, Pisapati, A.V. Subbarao, Padmanabham, and Sutti Velu.

Notable Achievements

• **1992** – Won first prize in a statewide classical drama competition for Pandavodyogam conducted by the Andhra Pradesh government and Telugu University. The award was presented by Chief Minister Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, including a cash prize of ₹30,000.
• **2003** – Received the prestigious **Nandi Award** for the drama Sri Krishna Rayabharam.
• **2007** – Won first prize at a national-level competition conducted by Ajo Vibho Kandalam Foundation, USA, in Kakinada for the play Usha Parinayam.
• **2016** – Honored by the **North America Telugu Association (NATA)** in Dallas with the **Cultural Excellence Award** for his solo performance of Sri Krishna Rayabharam.
• **International Tours** – Has performed in the USA (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Texas), gaining recognition from Telugu associations and Indian diaspora.
• Has been felicitated with over **600 awards**, including honors in the names of NTR, ANR, SVR, Savitri, Ghantasala, Akkineni, Elapati Raghuramaiah, Gurram Jashuva, and Bandaru Rama Rao.
• Symbolic honors include **silver crown, Sudarshan chakra, Murali (flute), golden bracelets, and golden rings** from various cultural institutions.

Honorary Doctorate

In **2023**, to commemorate his **40 years of service in the performing arts**, Koteswara Rao was conferred with an **honorary doctorate** by the **Global Human Peace University**, headquartered in Delaware, USA. The degree was awarded during a convocation ceremony held on **October 28, 2023**, in **Pondicherry, India**. The honor recognized his lifetime contributions to Telugu drama and cross-cultural performing arts.

Media Work

Films

He acted as the lead in the film Ammakaniki Oka Abbayi (1985) and featured in:

• Bava (with Siddharth) – as a drama troupe owner
• Yogi (with Prabhas) – as a lawyer
• Sri Satyanarayanaswamy, Indrajit, and Agni Sakshi – supporting roles

Television

He played roles in serials like:

• Priyanka, Padmavyuham, Chadarangam, Andam, Bhagavatam – ETV
• His acclaimed play Sri Krishna Tulabharam was broadcast by TTD’s SVBC channel multiple times
• Participated in interviews and cultural programs on Doordarshan and TV5

Radio

Koteswara Rao also contributed to All India Radio through various devotional and cultural programs, showcasing his singing and dramatic talents.

Leadership

Koteswara Rao served as President of the **Tenali Stage Artists' Association** for five years. During his tenure:

• Official registration of the association building was completed.
• Government identity cards were arranged for over 460 artists, enabling them to receive pensions and welfare benefits.

Titles and Recognitions

He has been honored with several titles by Indian and international cultural bodies, including:

• "Pauranika Nata Praveena"
• "Eka Patra Abhinaya Durandhara"
• "Navarasa Natashekhara"
• "Abhinava Sri Krishna"
• "Abhinava Arjuna"
• "Ganakala Saraswati"
• "Abhinaya Visharada"
• "Nataka Nata Kaustubham"
• "Kalammathalli Muddu Bidda"
• "International Stage Actor"
• "Tenali Tejam"

External links

• Performances on YouTube
• Past NATA Convention Awards and Guests