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Legendary theatre director Ratan Thiyam dies at 77, leaving behind a transformative legacy

Ratan Thiyam, Padma Shri awardee and visionary director, passed away early Wednesday in Imphal at the age of 77. A pioneer of the ‘theatre of roots’ movement, he founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in 1976 and served as director and chairman of the National School of Drama. Thiyam’s groundbreaking productions like ‘Chakravyuha’, ‘Urubhangam’ which blended Manipuri indigenous forms with classical and contemporary techniques, revolutionized Indian stagecraft and earned him national and international acclaim. His multi-disciplinary mastery—spanning direction, design, choreography, and music—reshaped modern theatre. Tributes have poured in from cultural figures, state leaders from Manipur, and Meghalaya and artists across India. This loss marks the end of an era, but Thiyam’s bold vision and artistic rigor will continue to inspire future generations.

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