Manipur’s noted theatre personality Ratan Thiyam, one of the pioneers of the Theatre of Roots movement in India, passed away in Imphal on July 23. He was 77.
The late Thiyam was known globally for writing and staging plays that used ancient Indian theatrical traditions with modern themes. The infusion of Manipuri art forms gave his plays such as Chakravyuha and Ritusamharam a distinctive flavour.
Awarded the Padma Shri in 1989, he served as the vice-chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi before a five-year stint as the chairperson of the National School of Drama.
