Girish Karnad, who predominantly worked in South Indian cinema and Bollywood, has passed away.
Veteran film and theatre personality Girish Karnad was also conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, and had also won several accolades for direction in Kannada cinema. He passed away on 10th June in Bengaluru. He was 81. He died of multiple organ failure in Bengaluru.
Girish Karnad was born on 19th May, 1938 in Matheran, Maharashtra. His early schooling was in Marathi. At the age of 14, his parents moved to Dharwad in Karnataka, where he was exposed to travelling theatre groups. As a youngster, Girish Karnad was an admirer of Yakshagana and theater in his village.
He had made his acting as well as screenwriting debut with Kannada movie Samskara, which was released in 1970. The film, based on a novel by UR Ananthamurthy and directed by Pattabhirama Reddy. The movie also won the first President’s Golden Lotus Award for Kannada cinema. He was the presenter of award-winning TV series – Turning Point on Doordarshan National during the 1990s. The show was based on science and new discoveries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Girish Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting across all mediums. He also spoke passionately on causes dear to him. His works will continue being popular in the years to come. Saddened by his demise. May his soul rest in peace.”