Shankar Melkote is an Indian comedian, supporting actor who appears in Telugu films. He completed all of his higher studies through a succession of merit scholarships. Having done his law, he won an exchange scholarship to study business management in the University of Minnesota. He did not pursue his law practice but went into management. Working in various companies he is now the Managing Director of Margadarsi Marketing Company. He started his film career with Jandhyala's Srivariki Premalekha, produced by Usha Kiran Movies and went on to appear in 180 films. He is one of the speakers and writers at the Hyderabad Literary Festival. Melkote received the 17th Yudhvir Memorial Award in 2008 for outstanding contribution. He is the father-in-law of M V Sridhar, well noted Hyderabad Ranji player and Former BCCI General Manager.
He set up the Little Theatre in 1996. This group reads extracts from original writings and translations of eminent authors by using some of the simple techniques of the theatre, without any physical props. Till now the Little Theatre has given about 150 performances in many cities of India. Audiences everywhere have always enjoyed his free presentations.
The trustees of the Yudhvir Foundation have therefore great pleasure in awarding the seventeenth annual award to Shri Shankar S Melkote for his outstanding and unusual contribution for the popularisation of literature through innovative theatre.
His presence evokes humour and is noteworthy in some of the Telugu movies like, Srivariki Premalekha, Nuvve Kavali, Anandam, Ishtam, Anand, Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum, a 2004 Hindi film, Pawan Kalyan’s Balu ABCDEFG, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule, Dookudu, Pilla Zamindar, Endukante Premanta, Sudigadu.
