Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 10 (IANS): Condoling the death of Jnanpith Award winner and multi-lingual scholar Girish Karnad, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said he was one who always experimented with his work.

"Karnad was one who has contributed immensely to the growth of Indian drama, theatre and films. He used his area of work to point out the degradation of civil society and also the increase in the communal fabric of the country. He was always experimental with his works," said Vijayan in his condolence statement.

The 81-year-old artiste, a master playwright, screenwriter, actor, director and a colossus in India's cultural landscape, passed away at his residence in Bengaluru earlier in the day.

Apart from acting in several films in various languages, Karnad also acted in two Malayalam films.

Kerala Minister of Culture and Cinema A.K. Balan said the country has lost one of its most talented and multi-faceted personality and it's going to be an irreparable loss.

"He will be remembered for his overall contribution to the society, be it in the form of theatre, cinema, writings and even in the way he stood up for secularism," said Balan.