Master Vinayak

Vinayak Damodar Karnataki (19 January 1906 – 19 August 1947) commonly referred to as Master Vinayak was an Indian actor and film director of the 1930s and 1940s.

Master Vinayak was born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. He married Sushila. The couple's children are late actress Nanda and film producer and director, Jayaprakash Karnataki.

Master Vinayak was related to many personalities in the Indian film industry. His brother Vasudev Karnataki became a cinematographer while his half-brother Baburao Pendharkar (1896–1967) became an acclaimed actor. He was maternal cousin of legendary film director V. Shantaram. Master Vinayak was a good friend of the Mangeshkar family and introduced Lata Mangeshkar to the film industry in his movie Pahilee Mangalagaur.

He co-founded Huns picture in 1936. Amongst his work, he is best remembered for the 1938 Marathi film Brahmachari. It was considered controversial for having the leading lady (played by Meenakshi Shirodkar) in a bathing suit.

Vinayak died in Mumbai in 1947.