He was the greatest playwright of the 20th century in India. He showed us all how plays should be written. His house used to be right next to Ranga Shankara, and he attended all the plays. He was particularly interested in the Indian plays, and if he liked any, he would make it a point to recommend them to all his friends.
His involvement in theatre was very complete. He finished writing the English translation of his last play [ Rakshasa Tangadi ] just three months ago. Think of this: he was unwell, he was on borrowed time and he was working on a play till the end. It’s pretty amazing.
His theatre has influenced me enormously. I teach his works to my students to teach them how to write, teach them narrative structure, the Indian way of telling a story. I use Agnivarsha (The Fire and the Rain) to teach them about the Vedas, Bhakti, caste and gender. Or take Taledanda , about the rise of the Lingayat movement. I teach students social context through Girish’s plays.
People forget how profoundly Girish knew his classical culture. Whether the Puranas, the Upanishads, or the Natya Shastra, Girish knew it intimately and had lived it deeply. He lived them in his head. Otherwise he would not have been able to create those worlds in his plays. He felt strongly that classical texts can have continuing contemporary relevance.
He is the only playwright of his generation who does not feel dated. Young theatre groups are still performing his works. Not just with pleasure, but with an understanding of the ways in which the works are challenging. Tughlaq , for instance, is about the current ruler for every generation. First Nehru, then Indira, and now...
Yes, Girish reinterpreted mythology, but the critical thing is he did not glorify the past and second, because he had read so much, the context in which his works are located is huge. His plays are so rich because they talk about much more than what they are talking about.
If one image comes to mind, it’s of him standing in line to buy tickets at Ranga Shankara [Karnad was a trustee] and standing in line to buy coffee, oblivious of the people pointing and whispering ‘That’s him’.
Girish and his wife Saras were the most generous hosts. Their home was open always to all kinds of people. The number of people I have met there is legion. Those evenings in their home will always be very special for me.
(As told to Vaishna Roy)
