Ratan Thiyam
- Ten men in one -

By Tongbram Amarjit *

Every era has its own unique product, whether it may be in the field of science, arts, or in the field of technology. And those world famous personalities have contributed something to the growth of human civilisation.

It was Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher who shaped a new theory of tragedy (drama). He was not only a philosopher but a man of multifaceted figure in ancient Greece. His theory of "The Poetics" is still a good handbook for many scholars and critics.

And as for creative art, Leonardo da Vinci is note worthy. His paintings like the 'Monalisa' and 'The Last Supper' are still admired by millions of people round the world.

It was Leonardo only who deserves to be called 'Ten men in one'. Why? Because he was not an ordinary painter but a man who knows much better knowledge about Human Anatomy, Medical Science, Mathematics, Physics, and also he was a profound Architect.

Similarly, Ratan Thiyam is a versatile artist not only from the view point of Theatre, but also from the field of Creative Art.

Ratan Thiyam speaking at the opening of 'The Shrine'.

He is one of the renowned theatre directors who introduced Manipuri Theatre all over the world. He has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction (1987).

And recently, he has been conferred the prestigious title for theatre "John D' Rokefeller". He has achieved international glory and fame for his outstanding contribution for Theatre as best Director, Designer, Choreographer from around the world.

International Theatre festival without Ratan Thiyam seems a plot without character. His plays like 'Nine Hills one valley'! Prongue, Chakravihu (wheel of war), My Earth my love, have a profound insight.

One will see the architectural skill of Ratan Thiyam if one happens to visit the Chorus Repertory Theatre. It was set up in 1976 with its own well equipped two acre theatre complex along with 200 seater Auditorium.

It is like Shantineeketan, providing a roof to the Theatre lovers. Its scenic beauty suddenly catches the attention of the viewers at first sight.

Even though it is winter, I happened to find beautiful flowers of different kind blooming and spreads its fragrance to the visitors.

It was my golden opportunity to attend that memorable function on February 10 2008 in which prominent poets and eminent writers of Manipur gathered in the Chorus Repertory Theatre for the releasing of an anthology of poems by Ratan Thiyam entitled 'Tala Pamel Nahakshu'.

And the book was formally released by the renowned lyricist Shri B. Jayanta Kumar Sharma as Chief Guest. Professor Nongmaithem Tombi gives a brief account on the biography of Ratan Thiyam.

And I came to know that he is not an ordinary mortal being. His success story as a Theatre Director can be read like a beautiful novel full of events and incidents and it is so inspiring.

Here I remembered what Napolean said, "Give me a good mother, I will conquer the whole world." So if we look back to his family background we will certainly find that his parents were great gurus of dance.

His father Thiyam Tarunkumar founded Tarunkumar Dance Academy at Lahore in 1943, along with his mother Bilashini.

Ratan was born in Nabadeep and was brought up in Bengal. He was a graduate from the National School of Drama (NSD), (1971-74). Besides this, his childhood days is more interesting.

According to professor Tombi's record, Ratan grew up as a notorious lad doing all sorts of notorious things. His boyhood name is called Nimai.

At the young age of 23 he joined the Cultural Forum during 1960s and this was his most important phase in his literary career. And he hoped to become a great professional writer.

He started publishing his short stories & poems in the journal called 'Reetu'. He published again his 1st novel "Unnsada Nungsiba" etc.

At this period he is known as Ratankumar. After this period he remained dormant for some years and this year he surface again. And coming back to theatre he is popularly known as Ratan Thiyam.

"The Shrine" located at Uripok Samushang, Manipur

All these names indicates his three manifestation of his career in different fields of art. Actually he was greatly inspired by his mentor Ebrahim Akazi and his father Thiyam Tarunkumar in reaching this elevated status.

Moreover his another attribute is that he can speak very fluently, Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, English including Manipuri. On that day Critic Shri Longjam Joychandra expressed his views and comments that Ratan Thiyam's newly published collection of poems reveals his deep philosophy on Life and about this materialistic world, etc.

There is always a note of melancholy and a loneliness in his poems said Shri Joychandra. But his use of highly impressive similar, metaphors and rich imagines conveys a lot to the readers.

Shri Nongthombam Kunjamohon, Sahitya Akademi Awardee heartily congratulate Ratan Thiyam for presenting assets of Manipuri literature.

Shri B. Jayantakumar Sharma also uttered a few more speeches regarding Ratan's diction used in his poems. His poem has the capacity to bind the old and the new. His imagines are quite significant.

As he steps into the cultural roots of Manipur he makes beautiful products of art. At this junction what I would like to mention is that no body tries to hunt who is Ratan Thiyam except a few theatre lovers.

We studied English, Literature, Hindi literature but the resources of Manipuri Art and Culture, its Literature, Folklore, having a civilisation of 2000 years old is no less than that of the Hindi.

We can do many research works and explore the hidden potentials of Manipuri Literature, Manipuri Art.

Here, what I would like to convey is that we should promote our own Art and Culture and at the same time we have to know the importance of English at the global scenario because this language will be the medium through which our rich cultural product will reach to remote nations of the world.

And I do hope that such a celebrated international figure could have been honoured the Doctorate Degree by Manipur University for his outstanding performance in the field of Theatre. But he remained like pearl beneath the ocean floor in Manipur.

More on Ratan Thiyam:

• Photo Gallery on "The Shrine"
• Ratan Thiyam's Wahoudok enthrals audience at New Delhi
• Ratan Thiyam's Visit To Pune
• Chorus Repertory Theatre to treat Pune audience
• Chorus Repertory Theatre Returns To The U.S.
• Chinglon Mapan Tampak Ama to enthral US
• Ratan Thiyam "The Shrine"
• Chorus Repertory Theatre

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* Tongbram Amarjit wrote this article for The Sangai Express. This article was webcasted on April 21, 2008.

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