Assam CM Condoles Death of Renowned Theatre Legend Ratan Thiyam
Summary of the News
On July 23, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Ratan Thiyam, the illustrious Manipuri theatre director who passed away at the age of 77. In a heartfelt post on social media, Sarma remembered Thiyam as a “brilliant ambassador” of Northeast Indian culture and praised his visionary contributions to global theatre through the renowned Chorus Repertory Theatre. According to Sarma, Thiyam’s loss is felt profoundly across Assam and the region, marking the departure of a transformative cultural icon
Introduction: A Farewell to a Cultural Beacon
Have you ever encountered someone whose presence feels larger than life? That was Ratan Thiyam—a man whose voice carried the heartbeat of the Northeast across international stages. When word of his passing reached Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, he called him a “brilliant ambassador” of the region’s rich artistic heritage. Thiyam’s death isn’t just a regional loss—it’s a collective farewell to a visionary who made local stories resonate globally.
A Cultural Spokesperson: Assam CM’s Tribute
When news of his passing reached Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma quickly responded, expressing sorrow and admiration. He described Thiyam as a “brilliant ambassador” of Northeast Indian culture—an artist whose work embodied both regional identity and global resonance. Sarma’s tribute highlighted how Thiyam elevated Northeast arts, bringing recognition not just to Manipur, but to the entire region
Bridging Regions with Performance
Thiyam’s influence stretches across northeastern India. Though rooted in Manipuri aesthetics, his works resonated deeply in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and beyond. He showed that regional voices could enter global conversations without compromising their distinct dialects—speaking universal truths through local forms.
For Assam, this meant pride and inspiration. Thiyam’s presence at festivals—whether in Guwahati or New Delhi—revived collective memories of shared cultures and forged a unified creative identity across the Northeast.
Conclusion: A Star Sets, But Its Light Remains
Ratan Thiyam’s death is a quiet shockwave—a luminary gone, but his art still shining. Assam’s CM recognized this: the loss felt across valleys, not just state lines. But beyond mourning, there’s a collective call—to continue building, performing, educating.
Thiyam’s spirit lives in every future play that dares to root itself in tradition while reaching for modernity. The Northeast has lost one of its greatest storytellers—but his stories are far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Ratan Thiyam?
A visionary theatre director from Manipur, Thiyam founded Chorus Repertory Theatre in 1976 and led the NSD as Director and Chairperson, earning top honors like the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship - Why did Assam’s CM pay tribute?
Because Thiyam was seen as a cultural ambassador for the entire Northeast—his work resonated in Assam as powerfully as it did in Manipur, fostering regional pride - What is the ‘Theatre of Roots’?
Thiyam’s signature style that combines traditional Indian performing arts—like Nāṭyaśāstra, Manipuri dance, and Thang-Ta—with contemporary theatrical forms, creating immersive ritualistic experiences - What happened to Chorus Repertory Theatre?
Founded in 1976 on Imphal’s outskirts, Chorus became a creative commune where actors lived and trained together. It continues as a living legacy of Thiyam’s methodology
By embedding his methods in theatre training, supporting regional plays, ensuring funding, and nurturing young artists to honor local roots while embracing global expression.
