Ratan Thiyam was one of India’s most respected theatre personalities, known not just as a playwright and director, but also as a thinker, artist, and cultural reformer. He was a key figure in the ‘theatre of roots; movement, which began in the 1970s. This movement aimed to bring India’s ancient performance traditions into modern stories and stage presentations. Thiyam’s plays were powerful, spiritual, and filled with visuals, silence, and deep meaning. He often used themes from epics, folklore, and classical Indian literature to talk about current issues in society.
He was trained as a painter but found his true calling in theater. He was not only skilled in writing and direction but also in set design, lighting, music, and overall stage aesthetics.
In 1976, he founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre on the outskirts of Imphal, Manipur. Under his leadership, it became one of India’s most creative and powerful theater groups. He also played an important role at the National School of Drama (NSD), serving as director from 1987 to 1989 and later as chairperson from 2013 to 2017.
Over his long and celebrated career, Ratan Thiyam received many top honors. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1987 and the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1989. In 2012, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, the highest recognition in Indian performing arts. He was also given an honorary D.Lit. degree by Assam University in 2013.
Ratan Thiyam had been battling long-term health issues and complications after COVID. He took his last breath around 1:30 AM at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). His demise is a huge loss to Indian theater and culture.
Tributes poured in from across the country. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh called him a “true luminary of Indian theatre.” Artists, students, and fans remembered him not just for his plays but for creating a new kind of theater that touched hearts and minds.
Ratan Thiyam’s theatre was not just a performance; it was a spiritual experience. He believed that art must question society and inspire change. Even though he is no longer with us, his vision, values, and voice will live on through his work and those he inspired.