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Girish Karnad

Girish Karnad Image Source : Wikipedia
  • Born 19 May 1938
  • Place of Birth Matheran
  • Occupation Writer, Stage Actor, Translator, Screenwriter, Film Director, Linguist, Film Actor
  • Spouse Saraswathy Ganapathy
  • Education Karnatak University, Lincoln College, Magdalen College
  • Children Raghu Karnad

Related Other Pages:

  • Neenillada Male
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ABOUT Girish Karnad

Noted playwright, actor and director Girish Karnad passed away at his residence in Bengaluru on June 10, 2019. Karnad, a recipient of Jnanpith Award, was also conferred the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also a Rhodes Scholar. His plays, written in Kannada, have been translated into English and several Indian languages.  Karnad is survived by his wife Dr Saraswathy Ganapathy and two children. His son Raghu Karnad is an accomplished writer, having received the Windham–Campbell Literature Prize for Non-Fiction.

Girish Karnad FILMS AND CREDITS

Previous Movies Upcoming Movies
  • Neenillada Male
  • Neenillada Male

    ( 2018 )

  • Bayen Haath Ka Khel
  • Bayen Haath Ka Khel

    ( 2025 )

  • Tiger Zinda Hai
  • Tiger Zinda Hai

    ( 2017 )

  • Nandhini
  • Nandhini

    ( 2017–2021 )

  • Shivaay
  • Shivaay

    ( 2016 )

  • 24
  • 24

    ( 2016 )

  • Chalk N Duster
  • Chalk N Duster

    ( 2016 )

  • Chandrika
  • Chandrika

    ( 2015 )

  • Rana Vikrama
  • Rana Vikrama

    ( 2015 )

  • Gurudakshina
  • Gurudakshina

    ( 2015 )

  • Rudra Tandava
  • Rudra Tandava

    ( 2015 )

  • Samrat and Co.
  • Samrat and Co.

    ( 2014 )

  • Sweety Nanna Jodi
  • Sweety Nanna Jodi

    ( 2013 )

  • Chandra
  • Chandra

    ( 2013 )

  • Sweet Poison
  • Sweet Poison

    ( 2012 )

  • Yaare Koogadali
  • Yaare Koogadali

    ( 2012 )

  • Mugamoodi
  • Mugamoodi

    ( 2012 )

  • Ek Tha Tiger
  • Ek Tha Tiger

    ( 2012 )

  • Kempe Gowda
  • Kempe Gowda

    ( 2011 )

  • Komaram Puli
  • Komaram Puli

    ( 2010 )

  • Aashayein
  • Aashayein

    ( 2010 )

  • Life Goes On
  • Life Goes On

    ( 2009 )

  • 8 x 10 Tasveer
  • 8 x 10 Tasveer

    ( 2009 )

  • Sangaathi
  • Sangaathi

    ( 2008 )

  • Chili Pili Hakkigalu
  • Chili Pili Hakkigalu

    ( 2008 )

  • Lava Kusha
  • Lava Kusha

    ( 2007 )

  • Aa Dinagalu
  • Aa Dinagalu

    ( 2007 )

  • Tananam Tananam
  • Tananam Tananam

    ( 2006 )

  • Dor
  • Dor

    ( 2006 )

  • Amirtham
  • Amirtham

    ( 2006 )

  • Iqbal
  • Iqbal

    ( 2005 )

  • Chellame
  • Chellame

    ( 2004 )

  • Shankar Dada MBBS
  • Shankar Dada MBBS

    ( 2004 )

  • The Return of Tezaab
  • The Return of Tezaab

    ( 2003 )

  • Art That Shook the World
  • Art That Shook the World

    ( 2002 )

  • Vande Matharam
  • Vande Matharam

    ( 2001 )

  • Vande Mataram
  • Vande Mataram

    ( 2001 )

  • Hey Ram
  • Hey Ram

    ( 2000 )

  • Pukar
  • Pukar

    ( 2000 )

  • Kanoor ki Thakurani
  • Kanoor ki Thakurani

    ( 1999–2000 )

  • Kanooru Heggadithi
  • Kanooru Heggadithi

    ( 1999 )

  • AK 47
  • AK 47

    ( 1999 )

  • Prathyartha
  • Prathyartha

    ( 1999 )

  • Janumadatha
  • Janumadatha

    ( 1999 )

  • China Gate
  • China Gate

    ( 1998 )

  • Aakrosh: Cyclone of Anger
  • Aakrosh: Cyclone of Anger

    ( 1998 )

  • Kadhal Mannan
  • Kadhal Mannan

    ( 1998 )

  • Ratchakan
  • Ratchakan

    ( 1997 )

  • April Fool
  • April Fool

    ( 1997 )

  • Minsaara Kanavu
  • Minsaara Kanavu

    ( 1997 )

  • Sivasakthi
  • Sivasakthi

    ( 1996 )

  • Aatank
  • Aatank

    ( 1996 )

  • The Prince
  • The Prince

    ( 1996 )

  • Dharma Chakram
  • Dharma Chakram

    ( 1996 )

  • Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai
  • Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai

    ( 1995 )

  • Apna Apna Aasmaan
  • Apna Apna Aasmaan

    ( 1994 )

  • Aaghaatha
  • Aaghaatha

    ( 1994 )

  • Kaadhalan
  • Kaadhalan

    ( 1994 )

  • Praana Daata
  • Praana Daata

    ( 1993 )

  • Mysore Mallige
  • Mysore Mallige

    ( 1992 )

  • The Flowering Tree
  • The Flowering Tree

    ( 1992 )

  • Gulmohar West
  • Gulmohar West

    ( 1992–1993 )

  • Antarnaad
  • Antarnaad

    ( 1991 )

  • Brahma
  • Brahma

    ( 1991 )

  • Guna
  • Guna

    ( 1991 )

  • Jawahar
  • Jawahar

    ( 1991 )

  • Chaitanya
  • Chaitanya

    ( 1991 )

  • Santha Shishunala Sharif
  • Santha Shishunala Sharif

    ( 1990 )

  • Prathama Usha Kiran
  • Prathama Usha Kiran

    ( 1990 )

  • Nai Dishayeh
  • Nai Dishayeh

    ( 1990–1991 )

  • Nehru: The Jewel of India
  • Nehru: The Jewel of India

    ( 1990 )

  • Indradhanush
  • Indradhanush

    ( 1989 )

  • Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe
  • Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe

    ( 1989 )

  • Abala
  • Abala

    ( 1989 )

  • Akarshan
  • Akarshan

    ( 1988 )

  • Kadina Benki
  • Kadina Benki

    ( 1988 )

  • Kehkashaa
  • Kehkashaa

    ( 1988 )

  • Sankeerthana
  • Sankeerthana

    ( 1987 )

  • Malgudi Days Swami & Friends 1
  • Malgudi Days Swami & Friends 1

    ( 1986–1987 )

  • Sab Se Badi Adalat
  • Sab Se Badi Adalat

    ( 1987 )

  • Nenapina Doni
  • Nenapina Doni

    ( 1986 )

  • Nilakurinhi Poothappol
  • Nilakurinhi Poothappol

    ( 1986 )

  • Sutradhar
  • Sutradhar

    ( 1986 )

  • Teri Aarzoo
  • Teri Aarzoo

    ( 1986 )

  • Nee Thanda Kanike
  • Nee Thanda Kanike

    ( 1985 )

  • Khandaan
  • Khandaan

    ( 1985 )

  • Pyaari Bhabhi
  • Pyaari Bhabhi

    ( 1985 )

  • Khoon Aur Sazaa
  • Khoon Aur Sazaa

    ( 1985 )

  • Sur Sangam
  • Sur Sangam

    ( 1985 )

  • Meri Jung
  • Meri Jung

    ( 1985 )

  • Zamana
  • Zamana

    ( 1985 )

  • Tarang
  • Tarang

    ( 1984 )

  • Divorce
  • Divorce

    ( 1984 )

  • Ek Baar Chale Aao
  • Ek Baar Chale Aao

    ( 1983 )

  • Ananda Bhairavi
  • Ananda Bhairavi

    ( 1983 )

  • Anveshane
  • Anveshane

    ( 1983 )

  • Aas Aur Pyaas
  • Aas Aur Pyaas

    ( 1983 )

  • Umbartha
  • Umbartha

    ( 1982 )

  • Aparoopa
  • Aparoopa

    ( 1982 )

  • Teri Kasam
  • Teri Kasam

    ( 1982 )

  • Shama
  • Shama

    ( 1981 )

  • Paanch Qaidi
  • Paanch Qaidi

    ( 1981 )

  • Beqasoor
  • Beqasoor

    ( 1980 )

  • Apne Paraye
  • Apne Paraye

    ( 1980 )

  • Man Pasand
  • Man Pasand

    ( 1980 )

  • Aasha
  • Aasha

    ( 1980 )

  • Sampark
  • Sampark

    ( 1979 )

  • Ratnadeep
  • Ratnadeep

    ( 1979 )

  • Sandarbha
  • Sandarbha

    ( 1978 )

  • Jeevan Mukt
  • Jeevan Mukt

    ( 1977 )

  • Swami
  • Swami

    ( 1977 )

  • The Churning
  • The Churning

    ( 1976 )

  • Nishant
  • Nishant

    ( 1975 )

  • Jadu Ka Shankh
  • Jadu Ka Shankh

    ( 1974 )

  • Vamsha Vriksha
  • Vamsha Vriksha

    ( 1971 )

  • Samskara
  • Samskara

    ( 1970 )

Image Source : IMDB & Wikipedia

Girish Karnad AWARDS

Awards
  • Best Screenplay
  • The Filmfare Awards for Best Screenplay - 1980 Godhuli

  • Best Director
  • The Filmfare Awards South for Best Director - 1979 Ondanondu Kaladalli

  • Best Director
  • The Filmfare Awards South for Best Director - 1973 Vamsha Vriksha

  • Best Screenplay
  • The National Film Awards, India for Best Screenplay - 1978 Bhumika

Image Source : IMDB & Wikipedia

GIRISH KARNAD NEWS

Read these 6 Girish Karnad works before you say you know Indian theatre

July 14, 2025 7:20 pm

The playwright who made myths relevant, politics personal, and theatre revolutionary; Remembering Karnad’s enduring legacy.

Restoring Manthan: Shyam Benegal’s original negative had fungus, green mold; needed permission from 5,00,000 farmers

June 03, 2024 12:27 pm

Film Heritage Foundation's Shivendra Singh Dungarpur takes us through the process of restoring Shyam Benegal's Manthan, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, Amrish Puri, among others.

'Naseeruddin Shah smoked a lot of weed, I would worry if he'd fly off the handle': Shyam Benegal recalls Manthan shoot

June 03, 2024 4:59 pm

Shyam Benegal relives shooting Manthan in 1975, a year before it released in cinemas in 1976. The filmmaker candidly shares memories from the film's sets in Sanganava, in Gujarat, and the film's cast including Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil.

Rekha had a 'massive income tax raid' on first day of Utsav shoot but refused to leave set, recalls Shekhar Suman: 'Let them do their job, I'll do mine'

April 23, 2024 2:52 pm

Shekhar Suman recalled his experience of working with Rekha on his debut film, the erotic drama Utsav.

Grandeur and disillusionment mark the opening of Shiela Bharat Ram Theatre Festival

June 20, 2023 12:44 pm

Tughlaq traces the journey of the 14th century emperor Mohammad Bin Tughlaq as he takes decisions that are bound to wreak havoc on his subjects — changing the capital, introducing a new currency, checkmating benign people and awarding enemies.

How Girish Karnad saved the dying art form of Koodiyattam: 'At the risk of sounding immodest, I must take credit for this'

May 19, 2023 7:56 am

Girish Karnad was known for his work in the theatre and films, but the artist saved the dying art form of Koodiyattam after he became the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Academy.

Shekhar Suman reveals how Shashi Kapoor cast him in Utsav over his own two sons and the entire film industry

April 25, 2023 12:40 pm

Shekhar Suman said that he landed his first film role just 15 days after showing up in Mumbai, and this made certain parties in the film industry jealous.

Basu Chatterjee's Swami is the genesis of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Here's why

March 25, 2023 8:00 am

Swami's Saudamini is quite like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam's Nandini as both women felt like they were making a choice, when in fact, the choice was already made for them.

The River Has No Fear Of Memories: Podcast series celebrates Girish Karnad's life

June 15, 2022 9:58 am

Hosted by writer, translator Arshia Sattar and educator, film maker Anmol Tikoo, the podcast commemorates the life and works of the late writer through extensive conversations Girish Karnad had with Sattar before his death in June 2019.

How Girish Karnad's iconic plays have redefined Indian theatre

May 19, 2022 9:32 am

Remembering the thespian Girish Karnad's passion for playwriting and his significant contribution to the world of theatre on his 84th birth anniversary today.

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