'''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.

[[Actor]]

[[Director]]