Theatre of Roots Pioneer Ratan Thiyam Passes Away at 77
Renowned Manipuri theatre director and playwright Ratan Thiyam passed away early on July 23, 2025, at the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Imphal, following a prolonged illness. He was 77 years old. Thiyam was widely recognised as a leader of the “Theatre of Roots” movement, integrating traditional Manipuri art forms with contemporary stagecraft.
An Iconic Legacy
A Padma Shri recipient in 1989 and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee (1987), Thiyam founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal in 1976 and served as Director (1987–88) and Chairperson (2013–17) of the National School of Drama (NSD). His groundbreaking works—such as Chakravyuh, Ritusamharam, and his Manipuri adaptations of Macbeth and Andha Yug—revitalised Indian theatre on global stages.
Global Recognition and Influence
Thiyam’s productions infused classical Indian texts, Greek drama, Japanese Noh theatre, and Manipuri cultural aesthetics. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2012) and other international accolades, elevating indigenous performance forms on a global platform.
Nation Mourns a Cultural Luminary
The Manipur government and leaders like Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma expressed profound grief, calling him a visionary who carried the soul of his homeland through art. The artistic community widely regards him as irreplaceable.
Ratan Thiyam leaves behind a towering legacy—his vision, discipline, and creative genius will continue to inspire future generations of theatre artists.
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