Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Union Ministry of External Affairs, in association with Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and J&K Academy of Art Culture and Langua-ges organised a unique programme ‘An Interaction with Ratan Thiyam’ – a world theatre personality here at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.
Primarily attended by the theatre practioners of Jammu and Kashmir this historic programme featured film on the works of Ratan Thiyam highlighting his world acclaimed plays like ‘Chakar-vyuha’ ‘Uttarpridarshi’ ‘When we dead awaken’ and ‘Nine Hills one Valley’, felicitation of Ratan Thiyam by ICCR and an engrossing, enriching talk by the visiting director followed by a healthy interaction.
Earlier welcoming the august gathering, Regional Director ICCR J&K Balwant Thakur termed this as a historic occasion and a life-time opportunity for the local artists, writers, performers and the intellectuals to interact with a multi-faceted world personality. With his sheer hard work, commitment, foresighted vision Ratan Thiyam took the theatre of India rooted in the soil of Manipur to global heights. He hoped that his interaction with local artists will broaden their vision and inspire many to scale new heights in the field of arts, theatre and performing arts. Introducing him further Balwant Thakur informed that Ratan Thiyam is an Indian playwright and theatre director, and the winner of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, one of leading figures of the “theatre of roots” movement in Indian theatre, which started in the 1970s. Also known as Thiyam Nemai, Ratan Thiyam is known for writing and staging plays that use ancient Indian theatre traditions and forms in a contemporary context. Thiyam is often considered one of leading contemporary theatre gurus and is described as a ‘Genius’ by The New York Times.
Presently he is working as Chairperson of prestigious National School of Drama. He had also worked as Vice-Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi before joining NSD. He has also worked as Director of National School of Drama from 1987 to 1989. He is also the founder-director of ‘Chorus Repertory Theatre’, formed on the outskirts of Imphal, Manipur in 1976.
Later Ratan Thiyam spoke at length about his vision and global view of theatre. This followed by a highly intellectually stimulating discussion.
The programme was ably conducted by Anil Tickoo and Gauri Thakur. Dr. Arvinder Singh ‘Amn’ Additional Secretary J&K Cultural Academy presented the vote of thanks. Prominent among those who graced the occasion included Deepak Kumar, Naveen Chopra, Janak Khajuria, Kumar A. Bharti, Lalit Gupta, C D Magotra, Baljeet Raina, Vijay Malla, Subash Jamwal, Madan Rangeela, Sapna Soni, Jangs S Verman, Suresh Kumar, Ravinder Kaul, Jugal Kaul, Laxmi Tagotra, Rattan Doshi, Rajinder Narang, Lalita Tapasvi, Raj Kumar Behrupia, Shadab Khan, T S Premi, Hardeep Singh Deep, Vikrant Sharma, Ashok Anjum, Rajesh Ajnabi, Abhishek Bharti, Ravinder Sharma and Aditya Bhanu.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
