Memo to MP Bimol: UAL proposes Bharat Ratna for Ratan Thiyam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2025: Uripok Apunba Lup (UAL) has submitted a memorandum to Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Member of Parliament, (Inner) Manipur proposing initiation of appropriate actions for the doyen of theatre world late Ratan Thiyam to be posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country.

On behalf of UAL, president Soram Tekendrajit Singh has urged the Congress MP to bring their proposal on the floor of the parliament for the approval of the House.

In the memorandum, Soram Tekendrajit Singh, president, UAL highlighted the multifaceted personality of Ratan Thiyam who contributed monumentally as a playwright, musician, set designer, actor, director and choreographer in the domain of performing arts.

His contributions in the literary world with the publication of anthology of poems, short stories, novels and contemporary thoughts was also underscored.

The memorandum further listed the plethora of National and international awards bestowed on the theatre icon, including, Indo Greek Friendship Award (1984), Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1987), Nandikar Award (1992), International Man of the year (Cambridge) (1997), B M Shah Award (2000), Datidas Samman (2005), One India One People Award (2006), Indira Gandhi National Integration (2008), Bharat Muni Samman (2011), Sangeet Natak Fellowship (2012), Tagore Ratna Award (2012), Bhupen Hazarika Foundation Award (2013), Padmashree award in 1989 and Fringe First Award (1987), to name some of the prominent ones.

On the personal front, he was the vice chairman of Sangeet Natak Academy, Director of National school of Drama (1987-1989) and Chairman of National School of Drama (2013-2017), added the UAL memorandum.

He also served as director of the Festival of India, celebrated in many countries.

As many as eight Universities conferred Honorary Doctorate degrees to Ratan Thiyam recognizing his ingenuity in the field of performing arts.

In the home front, he established Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal (1976), where immortal plays Chakravyuha, Priyadarshi, Lairembigee Eshei, Asibagee Eshei and many more were conceptualised practiced and presented at the famous play hall The Shrine.

Saying that Ratan Thiyam unreservedly deserves the Bharat Ratna, UAL added that the award will be a tribute to the departed enlightened soul.

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