Bengaluru, June 10: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has declared a three-day state mourning in the state after the sudden death of veteran actor and playwright Girish Karnad. Kumaraswamy has also declared one-day holiday for schools, colleges and government offices in the state on Monday,  as a mark of respect to the veteran actor. "The state government has declared holiday for all schools, colleges and offices for the day (Monday) and three-day mourning till June 12 as a mark of respect to Karnad," the official of the Chief Minister's Office said.

Girish Karnad, a Jnanpith awardee, multi-lingual actor died here earlier in the day. The 81-year-old noted writer died at his residence in the city centre earlier in the day due to multi-organ failure. The veteran artist is survived by his son Raghu, a writer and journalist. According to a report IANS, a family source informed that Karnad succumbed to multi-organ failure at his residence at Lavelle Road in the city's upscale locality near the famous Cubbon Park.

Karnad was a Jnanpith award winner, multi-lingual scholar, master playwright, screenwriter, actor, director and a colossus in India's cultural landscape. Apart from Jnanpith, Karnad was also honoured with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, apart from multiple National Film Awards and a Sahitya Akademi honour. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and others leaders offered their condolences.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2019 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).