A prolific writer, theatre artist, actor, and Jnana Peetha Awardee, Girish Karnad took his last breath in his residence in Bengaluru on Monday, 10 June. He was aged 81.
It is said that Mr.Karnad was suffering from a prolonged illness and breathing problem. Owing to the news, the reason for death is said to be a heart attack or multiple organ failure. The demise of Girish Karnad is a great loss to Karnataka as his contributions to the state’s art and literature is truly immense.
About Girish Karnad
Mr. Karnad was an Indian actor, film director, Kannada writer, playwright, and a Rhodes Scholar, who for nearly four decades has been active in art, literature, and cinema. The Padmashree and Padma Bhushan Mr. Karnad won Filmfare awards for his direction and a prestigious Jnana Peetha award in Kannada for his maverick literary work.
Master Degree from Oxford
Mr. Karnad was born in Maharastra in 1938. He completes his initial schooling in Marathi before he was exposed to traveling theatre groups in Sirsi. When he was 14 years old, his family moves to Dharwad where he earns his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Karnataka Arts College, Dharwad (Karnataka University). Post graduation, he travels to England to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in Oxford. Interestingly, he was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1963.
Multi-Faceted Personality
With time, Girish Karnad gets into literature and theatre. Some of Karnad’s notable works are Yayati, Tughluq, Hayavadana, Nagamandala, and others. Karnad’s connection with Cinema is nothing less. He makes his cinema debut through Samskara (1970) as an actor and screenwriter. He acts in Malgudi Days (Swami’s father). Mr.Karnad made his directorial debut with Vamsha Vriksha (1971) which won him National Film Award for Best Direction.
Some of Girish Karnad’s notable Kannada movies are Tabbaliyu Neenada Magane, Ondanondu Kaladalli, Kaadu, Kanooru Heggadathi, and others.
On the other hand, his popular Hindi movies include Nihsaant, Manthan, Swami, Pukar, and more.
Awards And Honors
Padma Shri – 1974
Padma Bhushan – 1992
Kannada Sahitya Parishat Award – 1992
Sahitya Academy award – 1994
Jnanpith Award – 1998
