Girish Karnad (1938–2019) was an Indian playwright, actor, director, and writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in modern Indian literature and theater. He was known for blending mythology, history, and contemporary themes in his plays and films.
Early Life & Education
- Born: 19 May 1938 in Matheran, Bombay Presidency, British India (now Maharashtra).
- Parents:
- Father: Raghunath Karnad (a doctor)
- Mother: Krishnabai (a nurse)
- Education:
- Studied at Karnataka Arts College, Dharwad.
- Earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University (1958-1960), where he received a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Literary & Theatre Career
Pioneer of Modern Indian Theatre
- His first play, Yayati (1961), was a reinterpretation of a Mahabharata story and won instant acclaim.
- Most Famous Plays:
- Tughlaq (1964) – A play about the medieval Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, known for its political satire.
- Hayavadana (1971) – Based on Indian mythology and identity conflicts.
- Nagamandala (1988) – Explored folklore and gender issues.
- Talé-Danda (1990) – About the social reformer Basavanna.
- Wrote in Kannada and translated his plays into English.
Film Career
As an Actor & Director
- Acted in and directed several iconic films in Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi cinema.
- Notable Films:
- Samskara (1970) – Based on U.R. Ananthamurthy’s novel.
- Manthan (1976) – About the milk revolution in India.
- Swami (1977) – A Bollywood classic.
- Utsav (1984) – A period film he directed.
- Ek Tha Tiger (2012) & Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) – Played RAW Chief Shenoy.
Awards & Honors
- Jnanpith Award (1999) – India’s highest literary honor.
- Padma Shri (1974) & Padma Bhushan (1992) – For his contribution to arts and literature.
- National Film Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Political & Social Contributions
- Served as Director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
- Outspoken on social and political issues, advocating for free speech and secularism.
Death & Legacy
- Passed Away: 10 June 2019, due to illness.
- His plays, films, and essays continue to inspire generations.
- One of the greatest playwrights and intellectuals of modern India.
