Noted actor, dramatist and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad who passed away in Bengaluru this morning due was consigned to flames in a crematorium today in the presence of his family and friends. According to the wishes of Karnad, his mortal remains were not kept for public viewing, nor was it taken in a procession.

A Rhodes scholar, Karnad served as Director of the Film and Television Institute of India and the National Academy of Performing Arts. Besides receiving Jnanpith award for his overall literary contribution as a playwright, Karnad was also conferred the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Karnataka Government’s Rajyotsava Award.