An alumna of the National School of Drama pays personal tribute to B V Karanth, who died recently
Karanthji, popularly known as Baba in theatre circles (probably because of his initials BV), was a student of the second batch of National School of Drama (NSD) when I became acquainted with him as a child. I remembered him as a strange person who spoke chaste Hindi even though he was from Karnataka. Little did I know here was a genius I would encounter in several avatars over a period of time, to emerge as one of the most significant theatre people in post-independence India.
I recall seeing him act as Mr Kashikar in Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai and feeling that playwright Tendulkar had etched the character keeping Karanthji in mind, with all his eccentricities, awkwardness and humour. Then I saw Hayavadana, a play by Girish Karnad, which Karanthji had directed. The play itself drew on traditional forms, but the production was startling for the stylisation it employed, and became a trendsetter for a movement in theatre which drew upon tradition for its form.
Later, I too would encounter Karanthji as a professional, requesting him to design the music for a TV film. I was sceptical about his concurrence, for I was new in the field, but he accepted the task and would work late nights in Doordarshan
