Bengaluru, June 10: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has declared a three-day state mourning in the state after the sudden death of veteran actor and playwright Girish Karnad.
Kumaraswamy has also declared one-day holiday for schools, colleges and government offices in the state on Monday, as a mark of respect to the veteran actor. "The state government has declared holiday for all schools, colleges and offices for the day (Monday) and three-day mourning till June 12 as a mark of respect to Karnad," the official of the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Girish Karnad, a Jnanpith awardee, multi-lingual actor died here earlier in the day. The 81-year-old noted writer died at his residence in the city centre earlier in the day due to multi-organ failure. The veteran artist is survived by his son Raghu, a writer and journalist. According to a report IANS, a family source informed that Karnad succumbed to multi-organ failure at his residence at Lavelle Road in the city’s upscale locality near the famous Cubbon Park.
Karnad was a Jnanpith award winner, multi-lingual scholar, master playwright, screenwriter, actor, director and a colossus in India’s cultural landscape. Apart from Jnanpith, Karnad was also honoured with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, apart from multiple National Film Awards and a Sahitya Akademi honour. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and others leaders offered their condolences.