Karanth also called for making theatre compulsory for children upto Class 8, as theatre helps build team work and cooperation among them, finally leading them to be better citizens.

He added that theatre also teaches the development and warmth of language, besides the sense of rhythm and melody, it is a men's media and not an individual actor's media. Gong by the depleting interest in theatre, Karanth said had Shakespeare been born today, he may have been a failure in theatre.

While keeping alive the hopes of theatre's survival despite the onslaught from the television and cinema, Karanth said: "It is the tradition of experimentation that will keep the theatre alive."

Having dedicated his life to the cause of theatre, Karanth has also made some films - some award-winning also made jointly with Girish Karnad. He has so far directed 200 plays, with many of them being only on children theatre. He was here to direct two plays for the Vivek High School.

Karanth said he took keen interest in children plays and directed two-three plays every year, despite his other assignments. "In doing plays with children, I become the child myself", he said while explaining his interest in children theatre. "Awards don't matter to me when I'm with kids, it is in their honest evaluation about me that I derive my satisfaction."

After starting his career in theatre at a tender age, Karanth said he never wished to form a group and thus decided to move alone. Going by the past history of theatre having died and re-emerged again and again, Karanth hopes to carry on with his work in theatre to keep it alive in the Indian ethos.