M.K. Raina is a well-known theatre luminary who has been working in the field of theatre for the last four decades. He has worked extensively in both contemporary and traditional theatre in South Asia and has been instrumental in reviving the traditional folk theatre of Kashmir, Bhand Pather.

He has been on the visiting faculty of several national and international institutions, such as the National School of Drama, Delhi; the Central University of Hyderabad; the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad; the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai; the University of Hawaii, USA; etc. He has been a fellow at Stanford University, USA, and a scholar-in-residence at Jamia Millia University, Delhi. Besides, he has presented several academic papers in national and international seminars.

He is also known for his significant contributions to social and cultural causes. He is one of the founding members of SAHMAT, a trust formed to promote communal harmony and social equality. He is on the board of trustees of the South Asia Foundation, India.

He is the artistic director of the theatre group, Prayog. Besides, he has also made documentaries and films for various national institutions and national TV channels.

For his invaluable contributions to Indian theatre, he was conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman, the Sanskriti Award, and the B.V. Karanth lifetime achievement award.

Recently, Penguin has published his memories, Before I Forget, which has been received nationally and internationally with very fine reviews.