Veteran theatre and film actor Girish Karnad passed away in Bengaluru today morning at the age of 81. The actor is known for writing several brilliant plays in his career, starting with ‘Yayati’ in 1961 then Tughlaq in 1964 and Hayavadana in1972, among others. The multilingual actor had received the Padma Shri in 1974 and Padma Bhushan in 1992.

 

The veteran filmmaker who was last seen in the Salman Khan starrer Tiger Zinda Hai, is well known for playing Swami’s father in the 1986 Television series Malgudi Days. His directorial debut film was Vamsha Vriksha in 1971, which won him the National award for best director. Girish Karnad was also the director of Film and Television Institute of India from 1974 till 1975.