A dramatist in सन्स्क्रित् , who lived in the seventh century A.D. He belonged to Chengannur in the Kerala State. He was a disciple of शङ्कराचार्य . The Dramatic composition ' आश्चर्यचूडामणि ' is his work.

शक्तिभद्र , after writing his drama, once read it out to शङ्कराचार्य . As the आचार्य was observing silence that day, he made no comments about the drama. Disappointed at this silence of his Guru, the dramatist burnt his work to ashes in fire. When his observance of silence was over, the Guru asked his disciple for the drama. When told about the burning of the drama the आचार्य repeated from memory the whole drama. The above legend is widely prevalent in Kerala.