Theatre Legend Ratan Thiyam Passes Away at 77, Leaves Behind a Transformative Legacy

Imphal: Renowned theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam, whose groundbreaking contributions redefined Indian theatre and spotlighted Manipur’s cultural depth, passed away in Imphal early Wednesday. He was 77.

Thiyam had been undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, where he breathed his last around 1.30 am following a prolonged illness.

A towering presence in contemporary Indian theatre, Thiyam was celebrated for seamlessly blending classical Manipuri traditions with modern theatrical forms. As a former director of the National School of Drama (NSD) and founder of the Chorus Repertory Theatre in 1976, he nurtured generations of theatre practitioners and transformed the country’s stagecraft.

Among his most acclaimed works was a stirring Manipuri adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which consistently resonated with audiences, particularly in Kolkata where it received widespread acclaim for its powerful visual storytelling and rooted cultural expression.

Thiyam was also the creative force behind Adi Bimb, a three-day national theatre festival organised by NSD in Dwaronda village near Bolpur, Bengal. The festival brought together over 600 artists from across India, including from Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Manipur, Mizoram, and Bengal—fostering an inclusive, collaborative space for indigenous and experimental theatre.

His passing marks the end of an era, but his vision and legacy continue to inspire artists, scholars, and audiences across India and beyond.