Menuka Pradhan (born 21 January 1953) is a luminous figure in the Indian Nepali theatre world, admired for her mastery of acting, singing, dancing, and literary expression. She co‑directed a major revival of the record‑setting Nepali play Ani Deorali Runchha alongside veteran playwright Kiran Thakuri.
As a film actress, she has performed in more than a dozen Nepali and regional films, including Paralko Aago, Bachhna Chahaneharu, Devata, Jeevan Kanda Ki Phool, Chetana, Bhagya, Disha, Hamrai Santaan, Prashant Manko Aunthi, Shayad, Bandh, Prayashchit, Samarpan, and Spectre and Sibling.
In 1971, she won first place singing a duet with Durga Kharel at the Gorkha Dukha Nivarak Sammelan competition. An All India Radio “A+”–graded drama artist, she has voiced over a thousand radio plays, documentaries, dance‑dramas, and animations. Known for her engaging stage presence,
she has also hosted numerous major cultural events. In 1979, she received the Critic Circle of India Award for Best Nepali Actress for Paralko Aago.
