Theatre legend Ratan Thiyam passes away
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 23 2025: Ratan Thiyam, a shining star revered across the globe for his revolutionary contributions to contemporary theatre, passed away in the wee hours Wednesday at RIMS hospital.

The 77-year old was reportedly battling with post-COVID health complications.

Ratan Thiyam had been at the ICU of RIMS hospital since the past few days after his health condition deteriorated and breathed his last about 1.30am Wednesday.

The mortal remains of Ratan Thiyam was brought to his ancestral residence at Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai early morning and then to The Shrine playhouse of the Chorus Repertory Theatre complex at Shamushang Uku after religious rituals at his residence.

Theatre legend Ratan Thiyam passes away

Large number of people turned up to pay their last respects to the towering figure of the world of theatre.

Former chief ministers N Biren Singh and O Ibobi Singh were among those who offered floral tributes to the theatre personality but official representative of President's Rule administration was conspicuously absent.

N Biren led the tributes for Ratan Thiyam, calling him "a revered son of Manipur" "It is with deep sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Shri Ratan Thiyam, a true luminary of Indian theatre and an esteemed son of Manipur.

His unwavering dedication to his craft, his vision, and his love for Manipuri culture enriched not only the world of theatre but also our very identity.

His work carried the soul of Manipur, echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty.

"May his soul rest in peace and his spirit continue to live on in the works he leaves behind and in the countless lives he inspired.

May we all find strength in remembering his immense contributions to our cultural landscape," the former chief minister wrote in an X post alongside an old photo with Ratan Thiyam.

O Ibobi told media persons that he came to pay the last respect to Ratan Thiyam with at least a single petal of flower.

Everyone needs to extend such honour to the great theatre personality, he said and shared pain and grief of the bereaved family.

He also prayed for Ratari Thiyam's soul to rest in peace.

Film maker Aribam Syam Sharma also paid his last respect to Rafan Thiyam and told media persons that Ratan Thiyam was a true gem and a precious human being.

Ratan Thiyam's personality and creativity were extraordinary and he is an eternal gem for the nation, he said and prayed for Ratan's soul to rest in peace.

Ratan Thiyam was born on January 20,1948 at Nabadwip in West Bengal but brought up at his father's ancestral home at Uripok Haobam Dewan Leikai, Imphal.

His father Thiyam Tarunkumar, was also an established classical Manipuri dance Guru.

Ratan Thiyam left behind one son and two daughters.

Ratan Thiyam graduated from the National School of Drama, New Delhi in dramatic arts in the year 1974 and began producing different plays after establishing his theatre group Chorus Repertory Theatre in 1976.His theatre group had performed unaccountable numbers of plays in the global theatre platform.

Ratan Thiyam was director of NSD from 1987 to 1989 and later held the post of chairperson of the prestigious theatre institute from the year 2013 to 2017.He was also vice-chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi before becoming NSD chairperson.

Among the notable plays Ratan Thiyam staged across the globe including in the USA, Japan, France and other European countries were 'Chakraviyu', 'Uttar Priyadarshi',.'Nine hills one valley' (Chinglon Mapal, Tampak Ama), 'Andha Yug', 'Ashibagi Ishei', 'Macbeth' and 'Lairembigi Ishei'.

Among these plays, Chakraviyu was staged at Edinburgh International Theatre festival in 1987 and it became the only Indian play to receive the prestigious Fringe Fist Award.

The same play (Chakraviyu) also received the Diploma of Corventino International Theatre festival, Mexico honour in 1990.Ratan Thiyam was not just a theatre director but was also a music composer, designer, choreographer, lighting expert, costume designer, architect, playwright, painter and poet.

He was honoured with numerous national and international awards, notable among them being the Indo-Greek Friendship award in 1984 conferred by Greece, Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1987, Padma Shri in 1989 (returned later), International Man of the Year award by the Cambridge in 1997-98, Kalidas Samman in 2005, John D Rockefeller award by the USA in 2008 and Sangeek Natak Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) in 2012 .

He was also honoured with eight doctorate degrees by different universities across the world.

His socially and politically charged plays reflected the rich Manipur's cultural heritage, captivating audiences worldwide with this grand visual style.