Condolences continue to pour in from across the country and beyond following the passing of Padma Shri Ratan Thiyam, the legendary theatre director, playwright, and founder of Chorus Repertory Theatre. Among the notable figures mourning his demise is former Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat, who expressed deep shock over the loss of the theatre icon in the early hours of July 23, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
In a heartfelt message, Gurbachan Jagat described Ratan Thiyam as one of the most influential theatre directors not only in Manipur and India but globally. He recalled being deeply moved by the premiere of Thiyam’s acclaimed play “Ashibagee Eshei” (Dirge of the Dead), an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “When We Dead Awaken”, staged at the Chorus Repertory Theatre. He praised Thiyam’s seamless integration of Manipuri traditional aesthetics with symbolic modern theatre, calling it a surreal experience. The play had been invited to prestigious global stages, including the National Theatre’s Ibsen Festival in Oslo and the Theatre Olympiad in Seoul. “His demise marks the end of an era in Indian theatre,” Jagat said, extending his condolences to the bereaved family and theatre fraternity.
The Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) also expressed sorrow at the loss of the pioneering theatre artist. In an official statement, CCSK noted that Ratan Thiyam’s contributions had not only elevated Manipuri culture but also bridged the gap between tradition and contemporary performance. His productions skillfully brought out elements of indigenous traditions such as lonchat, phijet-chakcha, sarit-sarat, and thajanabi, making theatre a space for cultural revival and moral introspection. CCSK acknowledged his role in engaging with global issues and crises through his art, bringing international relevance to Manipuri theatre.
The organisation compared his influence to that of global theatre legends such as Tadashi Suzuki (Japan), Bertolt Brecht (Germany), Eugenio Barba (Italy) and Jerzy Grotowski (Poland), noting that young theatre activists across the globe had drawn inspiration from his production style. CCSK paid tribute to Thiyam as a true cultural guardian, stating that his passing has created an irreplaceable void not only in Manipur but in the world of theatre at large.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur Film Makers’ & Producers’ Association (AMFIMPA) also joined in mourning the demise of the eminent theatre director. In a statement, AMFIMPA highlighted Ratan Thiyam’s enduring legacy through plays like Uttar Priyadarshi, Andha Yug, Rituamhara, and One Valley Nine Hills. They acknowledged his role as the former Chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD) and former Vice President of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Members of the association gathered in solemn remembrance and observed a moment of silence in honour of his artistic contributions.
As tributes continue to pour in, it is evident that Ratan Thiyam’s legacy will live on through the generations of artists, thinkers, and audiences he touched through his visionary theatre.