WEB DESK / Bengaluru

Renowned actor, dramatist and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad passed away in Bengaluru today. He was not well for sometime. He was 81.

Coming to fame as Kannada playwright in the 1960s, he went on to become a critically acclaimed actor and filmmaker during the later years. Besides the Jnanpith award, Karnad was also conferred the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Girish Karnad was an iconic figure who has to his credit some classic plays and cinema. Starting from his acting and screenwriting debut in Samakara based on the novel by UR Ananthmurthy to his acting in Malgudi Days and Tiger Zinda Hai, he had never failed to impress the discerning audience.

The plays like Nagamandala, Yayati, Hayavadana, Tughlaq and movies like Vamshavruksha, Tabbali Ninade magane, ondanondu Kaladalli, KUVEMPU’s Kannuru Heggadati and critically acclaimed award winning movie Kadu created a new benchmark in the world of art and cinema.

The state Government has announced three days mourning and one day holiday today as a mark of respect to the noted writer. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said that the mortal remains of Girish Karnad will be cremated with full state honours.