Imphal, July 23: Ratan Thiyam, one of India’s most celebrated theatre directors and a pioneer of the “Theatre of Roots” movement, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 77. He breathed his last at 1:30 am at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, following a prolonged illness. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian performing arts.

A visionary known for merging traditional Manipuri performance traditions with modern stagecraft, Thiyam reshaped the landscape of Indian theatre with his deeply poetic, political, and visually powerful productions. Over a career spanning several decades, he not only redefined theatre aesthetics in India but also carried Manipuri culture to audiences across the world.

Thiyam’s exceptional contributions earned him numerous national and international accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1989, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, the Fringe Firsts Award at the Edinburgh Festival, the Kalidas Samman in 2005, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2012. He also chaired the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), where he mentored a generation of theatre practitioners.

Often hailed as a torchbearer of indigenous art forms, Thiyam was known for his groundbreaking productions that tackled themes of spirituality, war, identity, and cultural memory. His works such as Uttar Priyadarshi, Andha Yug, and Chakravyuha remain landmark creations in Indian theatre history.

Condolences poured in from across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called him “a brilliant ambassador of the rich culture of Manipur and the Northeast,” praising his role in bringing India’s traditional art forms to the global stage. Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh described him as a “true luminary of Indian theatre,” whose works “carried the soul of Manipur, echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty.”

Thiyam’s passing is being mourned by artists, scholars, and cultural leaders across the world, many of whom regard his vision as transformative and irreplaceable. As a playwright, director, and cultural thinker, he leaves behind not just a body of work but a movement that continues to inspire.

Ratan Thiyam is survived by his family, numerous disciples, and a theatre fraternity that will long cherish his contribution to India’s cultural heritage.