Girish Raghunath Karnad a veteran film and theatre personality passed away died this morning in Bengaluru at the age of 81.

Karnad was born in Maharashtra, in 1938. He came to be widely known after his appearance in television when he played the role of Swami's father in the TV series Malgudi Days (1986–1987), based on R. K. Narayan's books. He also hosted the science magazine Turning Point on Doordarshan, in the early 1990s.

An Indian actor, film director, Kannada writer, playwright and a Rhodes Scholar, who most of his life worked in South Indian cinema and Bollywood had contributed a lot for the country. His death is a loss which will leave an irreplaceable void in Indian cinema.