| Birth Date: | 10 October 1936 |
| Birth Place: | Kasaragod, Kerala State |
| Alma Mater: | University of Mysore |
| Main Interests: | Tulu Language, Yakshagana |
| Venkataraja Puninchathaya | |
| Education: | Vidwan in Sanskrit (Bachelor's Degree Equivalent), Postgraduate |
| Discipline: | Scholar, linguist, artist |
| Sub Discipline: | Manuscriptologist, researcher, poet, playwright, actor |
| Occupation: | Teacher; later founded Kerala Tulu Academy |
| Workplaces: | Swamiji's High School Edneer, Kasaragod Taluk; later Kerala Tulu Academy |
Pundur Venkataraja Puninchathaya (10 October 1936 - 13 September 2012), also known as P. V. Puninchathaya, was a scholar, teacher, author, and researcher known for his contributions to Tulu language and literature.[1]
Venkataraja Puninchathaya was born on 10 October 1936, to Damodar Puninchathaya and Saraswathi Amma in Punduru, Kasaragod District, Kerala. He received education in Tulu, Kannada, and Sanskrit. He completed his schooling and Vidwan. He postgraduate in Kannada from the University of Mysore.[2] [3]
Puninchathaya started working as a teacher in Swamiji's High School in Edneer, Kasaragod Taluk,Puninchathaya was a researcher in the Tulu language, Tulu script,[4] Sanskrit manuscripts, and folklore. His work in manuscriptology led to the discovery and publication of Tulu epic poems, such as 'Shree Bhagavatho', 'Kaveri', 'Tulu Devi Mahatme', 'Tulu Mahabharatha', and 'Tulu Karnaparva'.[5] Puninchathaya was also appointed as the founder president of the Kerala Tulu Academy, serving from 2008 to 2012.[6]
Puninchathaya was a Yakshagana artist, primarily in Arthadhari (character portrayal), notably in his portrayal of female roles in Talamaddale, a form of Yakshagana.[7]