Mandya Ramesh is a respected Indian actor, theatre personality, director and theatre trainer who has made a significant contribution to Kannada cinema and theatre. Born in Mandya, Karnataka, he developed a passion for acting and theatre during his childhood. Interestingly, he formed a small theatre group called Shivashankar Samiti while he was still in Class 6, writing, directing and staging plays. He formally entered theatre in 1982 through a workshop conducted by theatre personality Ashok Badaradinni. He subsequently joined Neenasam School of Drama in 1984, where he worked as an actor and technician, before becoming associated with Rangayana in 1989 under the guidance of legendary theatre director B. V. Karanth.
Ramesh made his Kannada film debut with Janumada Jodi in 1995 and went on to build a prolific career in films, television and theatre. He has appeared in numerous Kannada films, including Nagamandala, Mata, Oggarane, Yajamana, Bhajarangi 2 and America America 2. His performance in Nagamandala earned him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2002, he established Natana, a theatre training institution in Mysuru, where he has trained and mentored numerous aspiring actors. He has also directed several stage productions and written books connected to his theatre experiences. Ramesh is widely recognised not merely as an actor but as an important mentor and contributor to Karnataka's theatre culture.