ratan thiyam: The Ratan of Indian Theatre: Ratan Thiyam harnessed his spectacular stage to confront trendy chaos and form a simply society

When a pal referred to as to tell me that Ratan Thiyam was no extra, I used to be shocked and devastated. He wasn't only a stalwart of the Indian theatre, he was an establishment in himself. Along with his passing, I've misplaced a fellow traveller.

I first met Thiyam within the late Eighties. Over time, our paths crossed many occasions, each in Guwahati and Delhi. Even a quick interplay with him was profoundly enriching. I now carry a remorse: regardless of his many invites, I by no means made it to Imphal to witness his work at its supply.

Our conversations have been at all times centred round artwork, tradition and the society by which we dwell. We not often spoke of private issues — it was at all times concerning the bigger canvas. One space we deeply linked on was the Natyashastra of sage Bharata, the traditional and highly effective treatise on performing arts, typically revered because the fifth Veda.
Thiyam's theatrical work was deeply rooted within the Natyashastra. Having drawn on the identical theories in my very own movies, I felt a right away artistic kinship with him. As outlined in that historical textual content, human feelings are categorized into 9 elementary compartments — the nava rasa. Thiyam not solely embodied this historical science in his performs but additionally used it extensively in coaching his disciples.

MANIPUR'S OWN CHORUS

Born in 1948, Thiyam graduated from the Nationwide Faculty of Drama (NSD), Delhi, the place he later served as its director (198788) and finally as chairperson (2013-17). He was the founder-director of the Refrain Repertory Theatre that he established in his house state of Manipur, which remained his major artistic base.

A visionary artist, Thiyam masterfully used theatre as a instrument for social reflection and transformation, confronting the chaos of contemporary life by way of his craft. For lengthy, Manipur has had a wealthy cultural legacy, and Thiyam not solely preserved it however elevated it to nationwide and world prominence. That he was additionally an completed painter is hardly shocking—true cultural stalwarts typically categorical their versatility in a number of artwork kinds.In some ways, Thiyam stuffed an extended cultural void within the Northeast and past, forsaking a legacy that continues to encourage.In our society, good and evil forces always struggle with each other. Thiyam understood that the position of an artist isn't impartial — it's to face firmly with the forces of fine and contribute to constructing a simply and wholesome society. By way of his performs, he persistently sought to confront and expose the devilish components in our social cloth. His work served as an ethical compass, urging reflection and reform. It's crucial that future artists carry ahead this legacy of socially aware creativity.

Amongst his most celebrated productions are Uttar Priyadarshi , Chakravyuha , Andha Yug and Ritusamhara — every a testomony to his artistic mastery and moral imaginative and prescient.

He was a pioneer of the “theatre of roots” motion. His performs have been deeply grounded in Indian cultural traditions, notably these of his house state, Manipur, and the broader Northeast area. It was his profound mastery of the Natyashastra that enabled him to write down and direct performs drawing from historical Indian theatrical traditions, infusing them with current themes.

Very like the legendary Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika, Thiyam too noticed artwork as a bridge — a robust medium to foster a more healthy and harmonious society. Whether or not or not he totally succeeded in his lifetime is secondary; what actually issues is that he dedicated himself, relentlessly, to the battle for a perfect world.

At a time when societal values have steadily degraded, Thiyam stood as a cultural warrior, preventing valiantly to counter that erosion by way of the ability of performing arts.

Thiyam's legacy will endure for generations. As we bid farewell to this stalwart of Indian theatre, we're reminded that true artists by no means die—they dwell on by way of their work, their imaginative and prescient, and most significantly, the beliefs they depart behind. Sure, the stage feels dimmer with out the doyen, however his gentle will proceed to information generations to come back.

The author is a Nationwide Award-winning filmmaker (As advised to Shantanu Nandan Sharma)