Girish Karnad, eminent actor, writer and playwright, dies at 81 

Girish Karnad.

New Delhi: Girish Karnad, acclaimed actor and playwright, died at hospital in Bangalore, where he lived with his family. Karnad died at the age of 81, after a long illness.

A Rhodes scholar, Karnad is also known for his incisive plays which are widely seen as a commentary on contemporary India, with works such as “Nagmandala”, “Yayati” and “Tughlaq”, while his TV credits include “Malgudi Days” in which he played Swami’s father and a hosting stint in the science magazine “Turning Point” on Doordarshan, in the early 1990s.

Karnad won several awards including the Jnanpith, India’s most prestigious literary award – and the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, which are among India’s highest civilian honours.

He was outspoken about his political views and participated in protests against a spate of lynchings that targeted Muslims in recent years.

Tributes from Indian writers, intellectuals and politicians have been pouring in on Twitter.

While President Ram Nath Kovind, in a tweet, called Karnad’s death an irreparable loss to the world of Indian theatre.

Sad to hear of the passing of Girish Karnad, writer, actor and doyen of Indian theatre. Our cultural world is poorer today. My condolences to his family and to the many who followed his work #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 10, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted expressing his condolences:

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2019

Meanwhile, Amitav Ghosh, a renowned writer, also expressed his condolences in a tweet

Saddened to hear of the passing of Girish Karnad - a great writer and a very important public voice. Thoughts are with @rkarnad and his family. https://t.co/V5xugupeNl

— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) June 10, 2019

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor also tweeted:

This is a devastating loss. Just a few months ago he sent me the draft of his brilliant new historical play. He was at the peak of his creative talent. Profound condolences to his devoted wife Saras & brilliant son @rkarnad. A flame has been extinguished that lit up so many minds https://t.co/Z8dqtdSx4U

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 10, 2019

Karnad is survived by his wife, Dr Saraswathy Ganapathy, and son, Raghu Karnad. Raghu is a award-winning journalist.

Related