Guwahati: Born on Jan 20, 1948, at Nabadwip in West Bengal’s Nadia district, Ratan Thiyam, recognised as one of India’s greatest theatre innovators, grew up in Imphal, surrounded by art and art-making, which profoundly influenced his life and work. His father, Thiyam Tarunkumar, was one of the most respected gurus of classical Manipuri dance, while his mother, Bilasini Devi, was a renowned dancer.Thiyam passed away at 77 at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal at approximately 1:30am Wednesday.Along with KN Panikkar, BV Karanth, Habib Tanvir, Bansi Koul, and Jabar Patel, Thiyam, affectionately known as ‘Oja’ (teacher in Meiteilon), was a major pioneer of the “theatre of roots” movement, developed during the 1960s-1970s. This movement sought to reclaim and integrate Indian classical, folk, and indigenous performance traditions with modern sensibilities, a powerful strategy for redefining Indian cultural identity.A graduate of dramatic arts from the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Thiyam was not only a powerful stage director but also a complete theatre craftsman and creative visionary. He was a multifaceted genius — a designer, music composer, choreographer, lighting expert, costume designer, architect, playwright, painter, and poet, whose brilliance extended across nearly every element of the performing and creative arts.Thiyam took Manipur and Indian theatre onto the global stage, creating a new theatrical form by synthesising diverse performance traditions from his homeland. His works showcase the seamless blending of elements from the classical Natya Shastra (Indian theatre style during the second century BC) and Western realistic theatre with Manipuri’s rich indigenous performing arts such as martial arts (thang-ta), dance, music, and ritualistic gestures.Through this artistic strategy, Thiyam asserted the socio-political and cultural uniqueness of Manipur, positioning it as separate from the mainland’s dominant cultural narratives. This gained him national and international recognition as a playwright and director. His celebrated plays, such as Chakravyuha and Uttar Priyadarshi, brought global acclaim to Manipuri theatre and Indian drama at large.His main contributions to Indian theatre innovations are profound and transformative, significantly shaping the direction of contemporary Indian performance. His influence reverberates through his unique stylistic language, institutional leadership, and continued advocacy for indigenous forms and social consciousness.In 1976, Thiyam established the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal, which became a national hub for experimental, visually rich, and socially responsible theatre. The theatre trained and inspired generations of artists and encouraged the fusion of rural and urban motifs, traditional and modern directing techniques, and innovative stagecraft.His work is celebrated for its striking visual design, choreography, and music, combining scenic minimalism and grand imagery. His plays featured stylised movements, ritualistic gestures, symbolic props, and a deep focus on atmosphere that set new standards for Indian stagecraft, creating a holistic theatre experience.Thiyam’s plays often explore profound themes. His Leima Yenlingai Khuna Kaba (1980) addresses the motif of corruption in society transforming into an instrument of religious terror, while Urubhangam (1981), adapted from the Sanskrit play by Bhāsa, focuses on Duryodhana’s tragic story from the Mahabharata. Lengshonnei (1986), his adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s version of Sophocles’ Antigone, reinterprets the Greek tragedy through classical and traditional Indian forms interwoven with tribal rituals.Another masterwork, Chakravyuha (1984), rooted in the Mahabharata (Drona Parva), is considered one of Thiyam’s finest productions, where he presents a powerful meditation on war, entrapment, and the heroism of the young warrior Abhimanyu. Another acclaimed production, Urubhangam (Broken Thigh, 1981), adapted from the Sanskrit play by Bhāsa, is based on an episode from the Mahabharata, focusing on the tragic downfall of Duryodhana. Both Urubhangam and Chakravyuha reflect Thiyam’s belief in the timeless relevance of epics, recontextualised to comment on modern dilemmas.One of his most internationally acclaimed works is Uttar Priyadarshi, an adaptation of a Hindi verse play by celebrated poet and writer Agyeya, where Thiyam retells the story of Emperor Ashoka’s spiritual transformation. These works exemplify Thiyam’s ability to blend ancient texts and diverse performing traditions into cohesive contemporary theatre, addressing social, political, and philosophical questions with a rooted yet innovative dramatic language.A towering figure in contemporary Indian theatre, celebrated for combining classical, indigenous, and modern elements in his plays, Thiyam’s death marks the departure of one of India’s greatest theatre innovators, whose lifelong dedication elevated Manipuri traditions to the global stage and enriched the country’s artistic heritage.
