Udyavara Madhava Acharya (25 March 1941 – 7 December 2020) was an Indian orator,[1] short story writer,[2] poet, and theatre artist.

Acharya was born on 25 March 1941, in Udupi district, Madras Presidency, British India (now the southern Indian state of Karnataka).

During his childhood, Acharya was exposed to arts from the region including Yakshagana, Kola, Nagamandala, and Dhakkebali.

[5] He rose to prominence as an author of short stories and dramas in the 1970s when he started Samuha (transl.

commonplace) as a theatre group that specialised in dramas and Kannada and Tulu language ballets.

[7] Along with his theatre groups Sahana and Saketa Kalavidaru, he is credited with modernisation of the South-Indian dance drama form Yakshagana.

[6] Specifically, he was noted for his contemporary approach to Yakshagana, drawing the focus to a group formation rather than a solo performance.

[6] He was also a member of the Karnataka Janapada Academy and was a recipient of the Rangavisharada award from Rangabhoomi, Udupi.