I believe a rewrite makes a play that much more powerful.
Writers, or for that matter all artists, are considered great because of their ability to tell us things about the human condition, or the world. Playwright, actor and film director Girish Karnad did this time in his work. Girish wrote his first play “Yayati” before moving to England at the age of 22. When his play got published and attained enormous success, he decided to return to India.
Girish Karnad collaborated with Shankar Nag for the film “Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978)” and later went on to create a cult television series called Malgudi days. He also played the role of Swami’s father for the first eight episodes of Malgudi Days. He voiced APJ Abdul Kalam in the audiobook of the former president’s autobiography, Wings of Fire. Besides Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award conferred in India, he was also awarded Padma Shri (1974), Padma Bhushan (1992).
Girish transmitted myths and fables into the theatre. The best example is “Nagamandala”, the play is famous for its narrative. Nagamandala tells an enchanting story, combining two popular folklores wherein a naive wife falls in love with a snake who takes the guise of her philandering husband. With the most mind-blowing twists and hard-hitting dialogues, this Kannada play entertained audiences all over and was also made into a motion picture starring Prakash Raj and Vijay Lakshmi.
Karnad’s “Tuglaq” taught me to think of time, of the presentness of the past. It had seemed to Karnad that India of the 1960s provided a striking parallel to the 14th century of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. To compare Nehru with Tughlaq seems odd today, considering how Nehru has receded, and the changing of currency is a whim we associate with our times more than with Nehru.
Girish in movies
Girish Karnad (19 May 1938 – 10 June 2019) was an Indian actor, film director, Kannada writer, playwright. His rise as a playwright in the 1960s marked the coming of age of modern Indian playwriting in Kannada. He was a recipient of the 1998 Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour conferred in India.
Malgudi Days (Hindi, 1987)
Karnad’s portrayal of W.T. Srinivasan, Swami’s father in the adaptation of R.K. Narayan’s legendary book was charismatic, subtle and remembered even now with much nostalgia. Karnad’s stint in television also extended to being the host of the science magazine.
Samskara (Kannada, 1970)
Karnad made his acting and screenwriting debut with Samskara, based on a book by legendary Kannada writer U.R. Ananthamurthy. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The film’s strong anti-caste message was in line with views espoused by Karnad throughout his literary and film career.
Kadhalan (Tamil, 1994)
Karnad acted both with Rajinikanth (Naan Adimai Illai, 1986) and Kamal Haasan (Hey Ram). He is best known to Tamil cinema for his role in director Shankar’s “Kadhalan”. Karnad starred as the Governor of TN, Kakarla, whose daughter Nagma falls for college student Prabhu Deva. The film was a huge blockbuster.
Karnad’s subtle expressions on the screen have the heroine’s father and the hero’s villain gained a lot of fans for him. He has taken two kinds of role in Tamil cinema one is Heroine’s father like “Kadhala”, “Ratchgan” or “Minnsara Kanavu” or he takes antagonist role like “Challamae”
He is a multifaceted author and playwright who also hosted a weekly science program on the Doordarshan titled Turning Point. Featuring Indian scientist Yash Pal, the award-winning show explained complex, modern scientific discoveries in simple language.
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