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Born on May 19, 1938, in Mathern, Maharastra, Girish Karnad
has become one of India's brightest shining stars, earning international
praise as a playwright, poet, actor, director, critic, and translator.
As a young man studying at Karnataka University, Dharwar, where
he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Statistics
in 1958, Karnad dreamed of earning international literary fame,
but he thought that he would do so by writing in English. Upon
graduation, he went to England and studied at Oxford where he
earned a Rhodes Scholarship and went on to receive a Master of
Arts Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He would eventually
achieve the international fame he had dreamed of, but not for
his English poetry. Instead, Karnad would earn his reputation
through decades of consistent literary output on his native soil.
His first play, Yahati (1961), was written neither
in English nor in his mother tongue Konkani. Instead, it was
composed in his adopted language Kannada. The play, which chronicled
the adventures of mythical characters from the Mahabharata,
was an instant success and was immediately translated and staged
in several other Indian languages. His best loved play, however,
would come three years later. By the time Tughlaq, a compelling
allegory on the Nehruvian era, was performed by the National
School of Drama, Karnad had established himself as one of the
most promising playwrights in the country. He soon quit his post
at the Oxford University Press, deciding to focus all of his
energies on his writing.
For four decades, Karnad has continued to compose top-notch
plays, often using history and mythology to tackle contemporary
themes. He has also forayed into the jungle of cinema, working
alternately as an actor, director, and screenwriter, and earning
numerous awards along the way. At the age of sixty, however,
Karnad is vowing to give up cinema for the stage. "I've
had a good life," he says. "I have managed to do all
I could wish for--even be a government servant! Now I feel whatever
time I have left should be spent doing what I like best--writing
plays."
Karnad's awards include the Mysore State Award for Yayathi
(1962), the Government of Mysore Rajyotsava Award (1970), Presidents
Gold Medal for the Best Indian film for Samskara (1970),
the Homi Bhabha Fellowship for creative work in folk theatre
(1970-72), the Sangeet Natak Academy (National Academy of the
Performing Arts) Award for playwriting (1972), the Kamaladevi
Award of the Bharatiya Natya Sangh for the Best Indian play of
the year for Hayavadana (1972), the National Award for
Excellence in Direction for Vamsha Vriksha (shared with
B.V. Karanth - 1972), the Mysore State Award for the Best Kannada
film and the Best Direction for Vamsha Vriksha (1972),
the Presidents Silver Medal for the Second Best Indian film for
Kaadu (1974), the Padma Shri Award (1974), the
National Award for the Best Kannada film for Ondanondu Kaaladalli
(1978), the National Award for the Best Script for Bhumika
(shared with Shyam Benegal and Satyadev Dubey - 1978), the Film
Fare Award for the Best Script for Godhuli (shared with
B.V. Karanth - 1978), the Best Bengal Film Journalists Association
Award for the Best Actor in Swami (1978), the Karnataka
Nataka Academy Award (1984), the Nandikar, Calcutta, Award for
Playwriting (1989), the Golden Lotus for the Best Non-Feature
Film for Kanaka Purandara (1989), the National Award for
the Best Non-Feature Film on Social Issues for The Lamp in
the Niche (1990), "Writer of the Year" Award from
Granthaloka Journal of the Book Trade for Taledanda (1990),
Karnataka State Award for the Best Supporting Actor in Santa
Shishunala Shareef (1991), the Karnataka Sahitya Academy
Award for the Most Creative Work for Nagamandala (1992),
the B.H. Sridhar Award for Taledanda (1992), the Padma
Bhushan Award (1992), the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for
Best Play for Taledanda (1992), the Booksellers and Publishers
Association of South India Award (1992), the National Award for
the Best Film on Environmental Conservation for Cheluvi
(1993), a Special Honour Award from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy
(1994), the Sahitya Academy Award for Taledanda (1994),
and the Gubbi Veeranna Award (1996-97), and the Jnanpith Award
(1999). He also served as Director of the Film and Television
Institute of India (1974-75), President of the Karnataka Nataka
Academy (1976-78), Indian Co-Chairman for the Joint Media Committee
of the Indo-U.S. sub-Commission on Education and Culture (1984-93),
Visiting Professor and Fulbright Scholar in Residence at the
University of Chicago (1987-88), and Chairman of the Sangeet
Natak Academy of Performing Arts (1988-93).
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