‘Lost a Cultural Ambassador’: PM Modi, Leaders Mourn Girish Karnad

Politicians across the country expressed their condolences on the demise of the noted actor and playwright.

Noted actor, dramatist and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad passed away in Bengaluru on Monday morning, 10 June, at the age of 81. He was battling a prolonged illness.

Karnad rose as a Kannada playwright in the 1960s and went on to become a critically acclaimed actor and filmmaker. His noted plays in Kannada have been translated into many languages.

A Jnanpith awardee, Karnad was also conferred the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan honours in 1974 and 1992 respectively.

As the actor breathed his last, political leaders – from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, former CM BS Yeddyurappa, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and Arvind Kejriwal – took to Twitter to express condolences.

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

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

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

Condolences on the sad demise of veteran actor, director and playwright Shri Girish Karnad ji. May God render peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) June 10, 2019

Saddened to hear the demise of veteran actor-playwright and jnanapeeta awardee Sri. Girish Karnad. My deepest condolences to @RKarnad and his family. pic.twitter.com/Sr53rnPSso

— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) June 10, 2019

Sad news coming in the morning about the passing away of veteran noted actor and playwright Girish Karnad. Girish ji's views and artistic contribution will be missed by the country.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 10, 2019

Mr.Girish Karnad, His scripts both awe and inspire me. He has left behind many inspired fans who are writers. Their works perhaps will make his loss partly bearable.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 10, 2019

ಹಿರಿಯ ಸಾಹಿತಿ,ಚಿಂತಕ, ಜ್ಞಾನಪೀಠ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಪುರಸ್ಕೃತ ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಕಾರ್ನಾಡ್ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದಿಂದ ನಾಡಿನ ಬಹುಮುಖ್ಯ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆಯ ದನಿ ಮೌನವಾದಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದುರಿತದ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರು ನಮ್ಮೊಡನೆ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲ ಇರಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಅವರ ಸಾವಿನ ಶೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ‌ ನಾನು ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.#GirishKarnad pic.twitter.com/VWTWZO12xa

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 10, 2019

The passing away of veteran actor and theatre personality Sh. #GirishKarnad is a very sad news. My heartfelt condolences to his family members​. May his soul rest in peace.

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 10, 2019

Deeply saddened by the passing away of Padma Bhushan Shri Girish Karnad.

As an eminent playwright, film director, actor and recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award, he leaves behind a great legacy. pic.twitter.com/sVyvgTaC2H

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 10, 2019

Litterateur par-excellence, actor, director, playwright and activist- the passing away of Girish Karnad shall leave an irreplaceable void in the Indian creative arena.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans.

May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/sbXi0sCH4A

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 10, 2019