Girish Karnad

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As a child young Girish Karnad was attracted by orthodox theatre Girish Karnad was born in Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family in the picturesque hill station Matheran in Maharashtra. He did his early education in Marathi. Later he moved to Sirsi in Karnataka and came in contact with Natak Mandalis, small theater group that keep moving from one place to another. Further when his family came to Dharwad in Karnataka, he got attracted to Yakshagana, the typical orthodox theater which is perfect blend of dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques.

Girish Karnad and Dr. Saraswathy Ganapathy marriage faced stiff opposition Girish Karnad met Dr. Saraswathy Ganapathy during a party in Madras (Now Chennai). Karnad had just returned from England and was working at Oxford University Press. Being highly educated and a well read man, he and Dr. Sarawathy came close as the two had passion for reading and both were attracted to creative art and theatre. Girish Karnad had been in England for many years yet he was reserved and focused on his studies. When Girish Karnad met Dr. Saraswathy he was in his early 30’s and a mature man. Since he belonged to Brahmin family and Dr. Saraswathy, was an offspring of inter-caste marriage between Parsi mother, Nargis Mugaseth and a Kodava father, Kodandera Ganapathy hence there was stiff opposition from Karnad’s family for marriage. Hence despite sharing love for each other the two could not marry and after a huge gap of 10 years the two tied the nuptial knot. By the time Karnad was 42 years. Karnad has 2 children. He is today living a happy life with his family in Bangalore.

Girish Karnad wanted to become a playwright like William Shakespeare Creatively blessed Girish Karnad began writing at a young age and dreamt of becoming a playwright like legendary playwright William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot. On his way to England on the flight he wrote his first play, Yayati. Recalling his first play Karnad once revealed that when he gripped the pen; words automatically began flowing as if somebody was whispering in his ears. Yayati was an instant success and made Karnad a star in the world of theater. The play was first published in 1961 and soon translated into many languages. Three years later he created sensation with his other play Tughlaq. Girish Karnad started as a journalist but landed in films accidently Girish Karnad had no plans of venturing into films. After graduation in Mathematics and Statistics from Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad (Karnataka University), Karnad did further studies. He had won world’s most prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He went to England’s Oxford University and obtained a Master of Arts degree in philosophy, political science and economics. Readers would be surprised to know when Indians were regarded Black and the West looked down upon them; Girish Karnad with his brilliance won the hearts of his collogues and had the prestige of being elected President of the Oxford Union in 1963. After completing his studies Karnad joined Oxford University Press After returning from Oxford University, Karnad joined Oxford University Press and worked as editor. Meanwhile he also joined a theater group Madras Players and learned basics and nuances of theatre. While he was working at press his publisher gave him a manuscript of U.R. Anantamurthi's first novel, Samskara. Reading the script Karnad was left awestruck by its brilliant plot and a voice from within him echoed to make it into film so the subject could go universal. Karnad urged Pattabhi Rama Reddy of Madras Players Theatre to arrange funds to produce the film. He agreed. Thus Karnad wrote the screenplay and acted in the film version of Samskar (1970). The film won the 18th National Film Awards and many Karnataka State Film Awards. In additional the film won International awards at Bronze Leopard at Locarno International Film Festival (1972) and International Film Festival of India, (1992). Career in Kannada films After the mega success of Samskara, Girish Karnad was rather dragged into film direction by his friend B. V. Karanth, who was the original choice to direct the film. But Karanth did not know the technical aspect of handling the camera but film producer M. N. Basavarajaiah was hell bent on having only B. V. Karanth to direct the film. Hence B. V. Karanth requested Girish Karnad to help him in direction. Karnad, who had little experience of directing plays and had done the film Samskara, initially, declined the request but when he was forced, he took the plunge. However to the pleasant surprise of everybody Vamsha Vriksha (1971) won him National Film Award for Best Direction along with B. V. Karanth, who co-directed the film. From then on, Girish Karnad directed many Kannada films like Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Ondanondu Kaladalli, Kanooru Heggadithi, Kaadu etc. Girish Karnad also acted in many Kannada film and won recognition as an brilliant actor. Career in Television Girish Karnad even did TV and was seen in the popular DD TV Serial Malgudi Days in which he played Swami’s father. He also did a science magazine show Turning Point on Doordarshan as a host.