Muddana (Kannada:ಮುದ್ದಣ) (January 24, 1870 – February 15, 1901) - was a Kannada poet, writer a Yakshagana poet. He was also known as Mahakavi ("Great Poet") or Mahakavi Muddana. His name at birth was Lakshmi Naaranappa (Kannada:ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಾರಣಪ್ಪ). His birthplace being Nandalike, he is sometimes also known as Nandalike Lakshminaaranappa. His best known works include Ratnavati Kalyaana(Yakshagana), Sri Rama Pattaabhisheka, Adbhuta Ramayana and Sri Ramashwamedha.He coined the word kannadam Kasthuriyanthe, where he heartily compares his beloved language kannada to kasthuri.
Suffering poverty and poor health, Muddana died at the age of 31. His literary works have been used extensively in Kannada literary educational books.