Girish Karnad

Worked for the Oxford University Press in Chennai for seven years, before committing to writing full-time. Three-time winner of the Filmfare Award for Best Director - Kannada for his movies Vamsha Vriksha (1972), Kaadu (1974) and Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978). A winner of nine National Film Awards, including Best Direction for Vamsha Vriksha (1972) and Best Screenplay for Bhumika (1978). Awarded the Padma Shri in 1974 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992, India's fourth and third-highest civilian awards. Has won many accolades for his literary contributions, including the Sahitya Academy Award in 1994, Kalidas Samman in 1998 and the Honorary Doctorate presented by the University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 2011. Received the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India, in 1998 "for his contributions to Kannada literature and for contributions to Kannada theatre".