Legendary Indian playwright and theatre visionary Ratan Thiyam passed away early Wednesday at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, aged 77.
His death marks the end of an era for Indian performing arts, especially the vibrant “Theatre of Roots” movement, which he championed with brilliance and originality.
A pioneer in blending traditional Manipuri performance styles with modern stagecraft, Thiyam’s theatrical innovations earned global acclaim. His masterful productions—Chakravyuh, Uttar Priyadarshi, and Andha Yug—remain milestones in India’s cultural history.
Thiyam was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Shri (1989), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, and accolades from international festivals in Mexico and Edinburgh. His theatre company, Chorus Repertory Theatre, nurtured generations of artists and pushed creative boundaries under his guidance.
Tributes have poured in from across the nation. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called him “a brilliant ambassador of Northeast culture,” while former Manipur CM N. Biren Singh hailed him as “a true luminary of Indian theatre.”
As the country mourns his passing, Ratan Thiyam’s legacy will continue to inspire artists, philosophers, and storytellers—his work echoing the soul of Manipur and the spirit of Indian theatre for generations to come
