| Real Name | Girish Raghunath Karnad |
| Nickname | Giri |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Actor, Film Director, Screenwriter, Professor |
| Height | 5.9 ft |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Date of Birth | 19 May 1938 |
| Age | 87 Years |
| Date of Death | |
| Birth Place | Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Hometown | Bangalore, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| School / College | Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad, Karnataka University Magdalen College, University of Oxford, England B.sc , M.A, Ph.D. |
| Parents | Son - Raghu Karnad |
| Spouse | Saraswathy Ganapathy |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Hobbies | Reading, Writing, Listening music, Yoga |
| Net Worth | 5-10 Crore |
Girish Karnad, born Girish Raghunath Karnad on 19 May 1938 in Matheran, Maharashtra, was one of India’s most celebrated playwrights, actors, and film directors. He studied mathematics and statistics at Karnatak University, Dharwad, before earning a Rhodes Scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he completed his degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Karnad made his mark in Indian theatre with plays such as Tughlaq (1964), Hayavadana (1971), and Taledanda (1990), which explored themes of history, mythology, and contemporary politics. His works, written in Kannada and translated into English, positioned him as a leading voice in modern Indian drama.
Alongside his literary contributions, Karnad had a prolific career in cinema, acting in and directing films across Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industries. He appeared in classics like Malgudi Days and played diverse roles in mainstream films, while also serving as a cultural ambassador for Indian theatre and cinema. He received numerous honors, including the Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan, recognizing his immense contributions to literature and the arts. Karnad passed away on 10 June 2019 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, leaving behind a legacy as one of India’s most influential cultural figures.