Renowned Indian actor, playwright and filmmaker Girish Karnad died on Monday after a prolonged illness in the southern city of Bengaluru, his family said. He was 81 years old.
A Rhodes scholar from Oxford University, Karnad wrote several critically acclaimed plays in Kannada that have been translated and performed in several languages, including English and German.
Born on May 19, 1938, in Mumbai, Karnad began his career as an actor and then went on to write plays and direct films, winning multiple awards. He began his career as an actor in 1970, but he is best known for his plays, which are incisive social commentaries.
He was awarded India's highest literary honour, the Jnanpith Award, and the Padma Bhushan national civilian award.
Karnad also made a mark as a fearless social and political activist, often raising his voice against religious fundamentalism and for the cause of freedom of expression.
Tributes poured in from across the country for Karnad.
‘Girish Karnad leaves behind such a towering legacy. His plays, his writings, integrity and kindness - one of our greatest Indian writers and thinkers,’ literary critic Nilanjana Roy posted on Twitter.
‘Girish Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting across all mediums,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. ‘He also spoke passionately on causes dear to him. His works will continue being popular in the years to come. Saddened by his demise.’ There would be no flowers, no wreaths and no VIP visitors for Karnad's funeral according to his wishes, NDTV news channel reported.
