Rekandar Nageswara Rao, popularly known as Surabhi Babji, is an Indian theatre personality, known as an actor and as a director. He was honoured by the Government of India, in 2013, by bestowing on him the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the field of art. He was born in Andhra Pradesh, India. Shri Nageswara Rao received his training in this traditional theatre from his mother Subhadramma, who established the Sri Venkateshwara Natya Mandali with her husband some time in the 1930s. She was honoured by the Government of Andhra Pradesh with the title Nataka Kalapraveena in 1981. Gradually, Shri Nageswara Rao acquired expertise in every department of this traditional drama – painting curtains, making wigs, designing sets and stage lighting. He further refined his theatre skills under director B.V. Karanth. Under Shri Nageswara Rao’s direction, the Mandali has mounted extremely successful productions such as Sri Krishna Leelalu, Lavakusa, Jai Patala Bhairavi, Maya Bazar, Bhakta Prahlada, Balanagamma, and Chandi Priya. Its plays are all drawn from the epic lore of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the myths of the Bhagavata and other classics. Affectionately called Babji by colleagues in the Mandali, Shri Nageswara Rao trains his players besides shouldering the responsibility for productions.

He is famous for his performances Srirama in Lavakusa, Srikrishna in Mayabazar, Sri Maha Vishnu – Anasuya, Veera Brahmam in Sri Veera Brahmam gari Charitra, Nakshatraka in Harishnandra, Vengalaraya in Bobbili Yuddham, Karyavardhi in Balanagamma, Bhavanishankara in Chintamani, Jai Ram Singh – Rangoon rowdy(Social drama). Rekandar Nageswara Rao (Babji) directed the major plays Lavakusa, Srikrishna Leelalu, Veera Brahmam gari Charitra, Balanagamma and Jai Pathala Bhairavi. And he accompanied Padmasri B.V.Karanthji as Asst. Director for the play CHANDI PRIYA.