LEGENDARY KANNADA ARTIST GIRISH KARNAD..81.

Veteran Kannada actor, playwright & film director Girish Karnad.

Veteran Kannada actor, playwright & film director Girish Karnad's 81st birthday just happened!

Girish Karnad in Kannada film 'Samskara' (1970).

At the young age he started writing plays with the new approach towards history & mythology which he used to tackle contemporary themes. Then his first 'Tughlaq' (1964) was staged by 'National School of Drama' under the direction of Ebrahim Alkazi! After gaining national fame with that drama, years latter his 'Hayavadana' (1971) got international recognition when Vijaya Mehta directed German version of it!

Girish Karnad in Shyam Benegal's Hindi film 'Manthan' (1976).

Meanwhile Girish Karnad also started acting in cinema with Pattabhirama Reddy's Kannada film 'Samskara' (1970) which was based on the novel of same name by U. R. Ananthmurthy. In this anti-cast film his role was path-breaking. That was a beginning of Parallel cinema movement in Kannada! 

Shabana Azmi & Girish Karnad in Basu Chatterjee's 'Swami' (1977)

After that national award winning film immediately..

Karnad turned to direction with 'Vamsha Vriksha' (1972) which he co-directed with B.V. Karanth..and this film won Best Direction National award! Then they co-directed Hindi movie 'Godhuli' (1977) which showed the clash of modernity with tradition!

Smita Patil & Girish Karnad in Dr. Jabbar Patel's 

Marathi movie 'Umbaratha' (1982).

After that Karnad independently made several films in Kannada.. like 'Kaadu' (1973), 'Tabbalivu Neenade Magane' (1977) and 'Ondanondu Kaladalli' (1978). 

Meanwhile he also acted in Hindi films like renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 'Nishant' (1975), 'Manthan' (1976) and Basu Chatterjee's 'Swami' (1977)..
And in Dr. Jabbar Patel's Marathi movie 'Umbaratha' (1982) too! 
In all such films he acted with main actresses of parallel cinema ..Shabana Azmi & Smita Patil!

Pretty Rekha in Shashi Kapoor produced 

& Girish Karnad directed 'Utsav' (1984).

Girish Karnad directing Sonali Kulkarni for film 'Cheluvi' (1992).

In 1984 Karnad directed Hindi art film 'Utsav' which was produced by famous actor Shashi Kapoor! Based  on Sanskrit play 'Mrichakatika'.. in this erotic film beautiful Rekha portrayed Vasantsena nicely. In this rare duet "Man kyun behka.." sung by Asha Bhosale and Lata Mangeshkar! Then in he made film 'Cheluvi' (1992) Sonali Kulkarni appeared on screen!

In 1986 he turned to small scree and acted in famous TV serial 'Malgudi Days' which was based on R. K. Narayan's novel. Then in 1990 he hosted science programme 'Turning Point' on Doordarshan. Meanwhile he also made documentaries like 'Kanak-Purandara' (1988).


Karnad also served as Director of 'Film Institute of India' during 1974-75. He won many state & national awards for his films. In addition to this for his contribution to drama & literature he received 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Award' (1972) and 'Jnanpith Award' (1998). Apart from that 
he was honoured with 'Padmashri' in 1974 and 'Padmabhushan' in 1992 by Government of India. 

I remember nicely interacting with Karnad after watching his Kannada film 'Kanooru Heggaditi' (1999) in festival!

All the best Mr. Karnad!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
  ['Chitrasrushti']