Girish Raghunath Karnad (b. 1938)
Kannada and Hindi actor and director. Born in Matheran, Maharashtra, into medical family. Educated in English and Marathi but wrote in Kannada. Graduated in mathematics and statistics (1958). Rhodes Scholar, Oxford University (1960-3), later President of the Oxford Union Society (1963). Wrote first play Yayati (1961) in England. Manager of Oxford University Press in Madras (1963-70). Known mainly as playwright (also wrote: Tughlaq, 1964; Hayavadana, 1971; Anjumallige, 1977; Hittina Hunja, 1980; Nagamandala, 1986), where he is often considered part of a new post-Independence theatre movement with Badal Sircar, Mohan Rakesh and Vijay Tendulkar. Unlike the others, his plays are generally mythologicals informed by psychoanalytic symbology (Hayavadana, Nagamandala). Homi Bhabha fellowship for creative work in folk theatre (1970-2). Joined film as scenarist and lead actor for Samskara. First film as director, Vamsha Vriksha (with B.V. Karanth, the director of his stage plays), in the wake of Samskara’s success. Moved to Hindi film to work with Benegal as actor and scenarist (Nishant, 1975; Manthan, 1976, and the script of Kalyug, 1980). Since then has been a prolific actor in Hindi film and on television. Made one big-budget Hindi film for Shashi Kapoor, Utsav. First director of autonomous FTII (1974-5). President of the Karnataka State Nataka Akademi (1976-8) and of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (1988-93). His best-known film, Kaadu, placed him, with Benegal, squarely within New Indian Cinema’s ruralism, although he also made the martial-arts adventure movie Ondanondu Kaladalli inspired by Kurosawa. Scripted his own films.
FILMOGRAPHY (* only d/ also d): 1970: Samskara; 1971: Vamsha Vriksha; 1973: D.R. Bendre* (Doc); Kaadu*; Jadu Ka Shankh; 1975: Nishant; 1976: Manthan; Kanakambara; 1977: Swami; Jeevanmukt; Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane/Godhuli?*; 1978: Ondanondu Kaladalli*; 1979: Ratnadeep; 1980: Anveshane; Asha; Apne Paraye; Man Pasand; 1981: Paanch Qaidi; Shama; Umbartha/Subah; Kitapatti; 1982: Teri Kasam; Aparoopa/Apeksha; 1983: Ananda Bhairavi; Ek Baar Chale Aao; Sampark; Divorce; 1984: Utsav*; Tarang; Woh Ghar* (TV); Khoon Aur Sazaa; 1985: Meri Jung; Sur Sangam; Nee Thanda Kanike; Khandaan (TV); Pyari Bhabhi; 1986: Nilakurinhi Poothappol; Naan Adimai Illai; Sutradhar; Nenapina Doni; 1987: Swami; 1988: Akarshan; Kadina Benki; Kanaka Purandaradasa* (Doc); Mil Gayi Manzil Mujhe; 1989: Lamp in the Niche* (Parts 1&2) (Doc); 1990: Santha Shishunala Shareefa; Sara Jahan Hamara (TV); 1991: Swami and Friends (TV); Mysore Mallige; Jawahar; Guna; 1992: Cheluvi; 1994: Kadhalan; Poornasatya.