Girish Karnad Death: Karnataka govt declares one day holiday; President, PM among other mourn his death

Karnataka government declared one day holiday and 3 days of mourning to pay respect to Girsh Karnad who passed away today.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condoled the demise of veteran playwright and actor Girish Karnad, saying he will be remembered for his work for years to come. 

President Kovind said with Karnad's demise India's cultural world has become poorer. "Sad to hear of the passing of Girish Karnad, writer, actor and doyen of Indian theatre. Our cultural world is poorer today. My condolences to his family and to the many who followed his work," Kovind tweeted.

Sad to hear of the passing of Girish Karnad, writer, actor and doyen of Indian theatre. Our cultural world is poorer today. My condolences to his family and to the many who followed his work #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 10, 2019

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumarswamy twweted, "Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Jnanpith laureate writer and iconic actor/film maker, Sri #GirishKarnad . His outstanding contribution to literature, theatre and films will always be remembered. In his death, we lost a cultural ambassador. May his soul rest in peace."

Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Jnanpith laureate writer and iconic actor/film maker, Sri #GirishKarnad .

His outstanding contribution to literature, theatre and films will always be remembered.

In his death, we lost a cultural ambassador. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/s5bfbh0VgE

— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) June 10, 2019

 

Modi said Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting across all mediums. "He also spoke passionately on causes dear to him. His works will continue being popular in the years to come. Saddened by his demise," he posted on Twitter.

Girish Karnad will be remembered for his versatile acting across all mediums. He also spoke passionately on causes dear to him. His works will continue being popular in the years to come. Saddened by his demise. May his soul rest in peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2019

 

Karnad passed away on Monday at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness in Bengaluru. 

A multifaceted personality, Karnad has acted in several plays and movies that have received critical acclamation.  Karnad, a recipient of the Jnanpith award, was also conferred the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992.

Karnad's family has requested media and ministers not to come here to his Bengaluru house to pay condolense. The family said that they can come to electric crematorium where he will be cremated in the afternoon.

He was also a Rhodes Scholar from Oxford University, in the 1960s that earned him his Master of Arts degree in philosophy, political science and economics. 

His plays, written in Kannada, have been translated into English and several Indian languages.