Photo: Srtejaswi at English Wikipedia / GFDL (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Girish Karnad was credited as an author, stage actor and translator. Born on May 19, 1938, Girish Karnad was from Matheran, Maharashtra, India. Death is recorded on June 10, 2019, at the age of 81. Schooling on record includes Karnatak University. Listed accolades include Jnanpith Award (1998), Padma Bhushan (1992), Sahitya Akademi Award in Kannada (1994) and 4 more.
My Take
Girish Karnad is a giant I find genuinely humbling. His Kannada plays in the 1960s signaled the maturation of modern Indian drama, and he carried that authority across playwriting, acting, directing, and translation. A Rhodes Scholar and Fulbright recipient, a Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan honoree, he fused scholarship, performance, and storytelling at a level almost nobody sustains. Works like Hayavadana and Tale Danda will outlast the man who died in 2019. What moves me is the breadth without dilution: he could be intellectual and theatrical at once. I rank him among the truly serious artists of his century.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Girish Karnad
- Name (Japanese)
- ギリーシュ・カルナド
- Reading
- ぎりーしゅ・かるなど
- Born
- May 19, 1938 – June 10, 2019
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Tiger
- Origin
- Matheran, Maharashtra, India
- Occupation
- author / stage actor / translator / screenwriter / film director
2. Background
- University
- Karnatak University
Awards & achievements
- 1998 Jnanpith Award
- 1992 Padma Bhushan
- 1994 Sahitya Akademi Award in Kannada
- 1974 Padma Shri in arts
- 1972 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- 1960 Rhodes Scholarship
- 1987 Fulbright Scholarship
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Tale Danda | — | |
| Notable work | Hayavadana (Play) | — |
4. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girish%20Karnad
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3518444
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Girish Karnad born?
Born May 19, 1938.
When did Girish Karnad die?
Died June 10, 2019, aged 81.
Where was Girish Karnad from?
Girish Karnad was from Matheran, Maharashtra, India.
What did Girish Karnad do?
Girish Karnad worked as author, stage actor, translator, screenwriter, film director.
What was Girish Karnad known for?
Notable works include Tale Danda, Hayavadana (Play).
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