Influence of Kannada theatre on theatres of south India has been huge. Kannada theatre has played a crucial role towards promoting the theatre culture in India and especially in some parts of south India. The form of art called theatre actually developed itself through times and also earned the reputation of ennobling art. Theatre is a form, which, for its existence, calls for serious contribution from Literature, Music, Painting, Sculpture and the Art of Acting which includes effective articulation and gesture. These various forms of art, in trying to maintain their complexion in character cooperates with each other to bring a new creation - the drama, which is capable of creating happy and homogeneous atmosphere.

Over the last century, Kannada theatre have stood strong and independent, and made a mark for itself, and have also helped other regional theatres to grow, as a result. Kannada theatre, through its richness in folk culture, has inspired regions like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, providing them with its own theatrical modes and methods.

Influence of Kannada Theatre on Marathi Theatre
The Marathi theatre has derived a lot from Karnataka folk theatre. The folk-modes of the Kannada stage, for troupes of the folk artists of North Karnataka which were frequently visiting important places in Maharashtra drew the attention of the region. Yakshagana was so liked and appreciated by the Marathi Rajas that he thought it was capable of being considered to model the Marathi stage. Many playwrights began to write plays and dramas exactly on the pattern set by the Kannada Yakshagana and staged them in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1850s.

Influence of Kannada Theatre on Telugu Theatre
Kannada theatre has had a profound impact on Telugu theatre as well. The professional stages of Andhra Pradesh have been highly influenced by the creativity and culture of Karnataka theatre. The credit of writing the first Telugu drama must go to Sri D. Krishnamacharlu of Bellary who later came to be hailed as Andhra-nataka pitamaha. It is interesting to note that he wrote his first play Swapna Aniruddha in Kannada stating in the preface of the play, that though he was not proficient in the Kannada language or literature, he was obliged to write out his first drama in Kannada as his friends expressed the opinion that Kannada was the only language suitable for the stage. This goes to show the impact or influence the Kannada theatre had on Telugu theatre personalities.

Influence of Kannada Theatre on Tamil Theatre
The Tamil Theatre has had active folk influence. The Terukkuttam, a performance in Tmail theatre, is very similar to the folk theatre of Karnataka - Yakshagana. Most of the playwrights and dramatists of Tamil Nadu has stayed for long in the state of Karnataka and deeply been inspired from the richness in the folk culture.

It can well be said that the influence of Kannada theatre on the neighbouring parts of the state, could be reckoned as one region, evolved as the indigenous folk mode of the famed dance-drama, Yakshagana.