MUMBAI: Girish Karnad, a renowned actor-playwright, has died at the age of 81 at his residence in Bengaluru.

His rise as a playwright in the 1960s marked the coming of age of modern Indian playwriting in Kannada.

Karnad was honored with Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhusan. He was born on May 19, 1938. He is survived by his wife Dr Saraswathy Ganapathy and their two children. (Agencies)