Girish Karnad, known as a versatile actor, noted playwright, a person of wide accomplishments and interests. The actor passed away on Monday, May 10. He succumbed to a prolonged illness at his residence in Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru.
He was born on May 19, 1938, and was 81 years old. He received Jnanpith Award in 1998, the highest literary honor conferred in India. He is well known as a playwright who marked the coming of age of modern Indian playwriting in Kannada.
He has written a lot of plays and has been part of several films. Karnad’s plays explored the folklore, mythology, and history. It is an aid to be a reflection of the struggles and challenges of contemporary life.
Here’s a look at some of his remarkable plays and films
- The Dream of Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan Kanda Kanasu or The dreams of Tipu Sultan was written in 1997 and post it, it has been performed many times by different groups around the world. Through the eyes of an Indian court historian and a British Oriental scholar, Karnad traverses the historic moments and the last days of Tipu Sultan– the Ruler of Mysore in the play.
- The Fire and the Rain
Girish Karnad’s Mahabharat play was adapted into Arjun Sajnani’s Agni Varsha starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Nagarjuna, Raveena Tandon and music composed by Sandesh Shandilya and Taufiq Qureshi.
- Modakalu Bimba
Odakalu Bimba, a Kannada monodrama was written in 2005 and marked Karnad’s return to direction after a period of thirty years. He directed the play with KM Chaitanya. It was translated and titled Bikhre Bimb in Hindi and A Heap of Broken Images in English.
- Ek Tha Tiger
Talking about the films, he has proved himself as a versatile actor time and again. One of his recent films was EK Tha Tiger that stars Salman Khan. He was also seen in the sequel of the film and played a prominent role in the film as the Chairman of RAW, Shenoy.
- Iqbal
Iqbal is a 2005 Indian coming-of-age sports drama film. The story follows a cricket-obsessed deaf and mute boy from a remote Indian village as he aims to overcome difficulties to become a cricketer and fulfill his dream of playing for the Indian national cricket team. In the film, Girish Karnad played the role of a ruthless cricket coach.
- Aashayein
The film is a Hindi drama that stars John Abrahan and Sonal Sehgal in lead roles. Girish Karnad played the role of Parthasarthi, a fun-loving, “uncle” to everyone, stupidly stubborn on his principles who wish to be reunited with his family.
His other notable plays include titles like Yayati, Tughlaq, Hayavadana and Benda Kaalu on Toast among others.
