Dr Girish Karnad in association with Manohara Grantha Mala, Dharwad released Aadaadtha Ayushya, his autobiography in Kannada. The book was released by K N Shanth Kumar, editor, Prajavani at Reliance TimeOut.
Three other books namely Antarangada Mrudanga – a compilation of essays written by Narahalli Balasubramanya; Hole Makkalu – a novel by Bidarahalli Narasimhamurthy and Na Badukalikke Ollepa – a collection of short plays with only two characters by Lohit Naikar, were also launched at the event.
Aadaadtha Ayushya by Dr Girish Karnad is priced at `300, Antarangada Mrudanga by Narahalli Balasubramanya at `100, Hole Makkalu by Bidarahalli Narasimhamurthy at `200 and Na Badukalikke Ollepa by Lohit Naikar is priced at `80
About the book Aadaadtha Ayushya
Girish Karnad’s memoirs of the first half of his life are being published by Manohara Grantha Mala. Girish Karnad titled his memoirs and they are influenced by D R Bendre’s famous lines Aadaadtha Ayushya (Life moves on while playing).
The memoirs run into 350 pages and are divided into 11 chapters and have been named after places where he spent his life.
The first part deals with his early schooling and college days including his education at Oxford by availing the Rhodes scholarship.
His varied interests and the determination to achieve goals take him to the post of President of Oxford union, a rare honour achieved by few Indians. During that time his literary career takes shape and the response he receives by Kannada readers makes him write in Kannada.
The second part deals with his career at Chennai. While working at Oxford University Press, Chennai he acted in many English plays under Madras Players.
During this time he ventured into acting with Samskara which won the Swarna Kamala Award. His career as the Director of Film and Television Institute, Pune marks his last phase in service records. The administrative reforms and the mode of admission brought actors like Om Puri in the institute.
Many eminent film personalities of today were his students.
He then went on to use his time to write plays, act in cinema and various other creative activities. At this point of time, he marries Dr Saraswathy Ganapathy.
Here ends his first book of memoirs.
About the author
Dr Girish Raghunath Karnad is a contemporary writer, playwright, screenwriter, actor and movie director in Kannada language. His rise as a prominent playwright in 1960s, marked the coming of age of modern Indian playwriting in Kannada.
He is a recipient of the 1998 Jnanpith Award for Kannada, the highest literary honour conferred in India.
For four decades Karnad has been composing plays, often using history and mythology to tackle contemporary issues. He has translated his major plays into English, and has received critical acclaim across India.
His plays have been translated into several Indian languages and directed by eminent directors. He is also active in the world of Indian cinema working as an actor, director, and screenwriter, both in Hindi and Kannada cinema, earning numerous awards along the way.
He was conferred Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.