Branded Urban Naxal, Girish Karnad stood by what he believed in
A voice that championed the freedom of expression, Girish Karnad wore a sign around his neck that read 'Me Too Urban Naxal' at an event to mark the first death anniversary of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh.
Girish Karnad, actor, director and noted playwright, died at his residence in Bengaluru on Monday.
The 81-year-old actor, a voice that championed the freedom of expression, used his stature to stand and fight for what he believed in despite failing health and numerous threats to his life.
In September, Girish Karnad carried a placard that read 'Me Too Urban Naxal' at an event organised to mark the first death anniversary of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru.
With a tube in his nose, Girish wore the placard around his neck. Speaking to the gathering on the first death anniversary of Gauri Lankesh, Girish Karnad had spoken up against the house arrests of activists across the country.
"What is horrifying now is not what the Naxals or terrorists are doing but what the police are saying. The accusations against rationalists are a complete hogwash. It is not rational talk. It's scary because they believe they can do what they want. Someone in Pune is investigating the case and someone in Delhi is directing them. This is grim. If speaking up means being a Naxal then I am an Urban Naxal. I am proud to be a part of the hit list," Girish Karnad had said.
Girish Karnad was later charged for wearing the placard around his neck at the event.
A fearless social and political activist, Girish Karnad, was also one of the 200 writers who issued an appeal to Indians in April to vote out hate politics in the Lok Sabha elections and vote for a "diverse and equal India".
ABOUT GIRISH KARNAD
Girish Karnad acted in several plays and movies that have received critical acclaim. 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 at 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. Karnad was one of the most prominent artistic voices of his generation.
He was an eminent playwright with works such as "Nagmandala", "Yayati" and "Tughlaq", which was one of the most successfully performed plays.
He was part of the parallel film movement and acted in in movies such as "Swami", and "Nishant". His TV credits include "Malgudi Days" in which he played Swami's father and a hosting stint in the science magazine "Turning Point" on Doordarshan in the early 1990s.
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