Padma Shri & Padma Bhushan Girish Karnad:

Critically acclaimed Playwright, Actor, Writer, Director & Artiste

- By Guest Columnist T.K. CHANDRA MOULI

Girish Karnad was a renowned Indian playwright, actor, film director, writer, and Jnanpith awardee, predominantly working in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Marathi films. His rise as a playwright in 1960s marked the coming of age of modern playwriting in Kannada. His works were translated into English (mostly by himself) and other Indian languages.

He was conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by Government of India. He won three Filmfare Awards for Best Director - Kannada, and one for Best Screenplay.

Karnad's initial schooling was in Marathi. Later, his father transferred to Sirsi in the Kannada-speaking regions of Bombay Presidency, where Karnad was exposed to nataka mandalis, travelling theatre groups.