Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on the death of veteran actor, playwright and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled his death. Modi said in his tweet, “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.”
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
President Kovind wrote, “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.”
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
The award-winning actor died on Monday at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness in the state capital Bengaluru. Karnad acted in several plays and movies that received critical acclamation.
Karnad, a recipient of the Jnanpith award, was also conferred the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University in the 1960s that earned him his Master of Arts degree in philosophy, political science and economics.
His plays, written in Kannada, have been translated into English and several Indian languages.