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Hindustan Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Classical arts an inwards path, says kathak maestro
'Classical arts, be it dance or singing, are an exercise to go inwards and find the natural harmony in senses before interacting with others,' said internationally acclaimed kathak maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani as he delved into the perennial relevance of classical arts. Internationally acclaimed classical artist Pandit Rajendra Gangani performing Kathak at Ramgarhia College in Ludhiana on Wednesday. (Manish/HT) Gangani gave a kathak performance at the Ramgarhia College here on Wednesday in an event organised by the Punjab Chapter of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth). The event was aimed at connecting the youth to the classical heritage of India. And this heritage, Gangani argued, was a 'treasure of wisdom' that can help us connect not just with our roots but the inner self. The event featured a spellbinding Kathak recital by Gangani, a legendary Jaipur Gharana exponent and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee. His performance commenced with a powerful Shiv Stuti — 'Bhaksham Suksham Sura Adhinasham Tatpatshath' — set in Teentaal, followed by signature Jaipur Gharana compositions such as Uthan, Ganesh Paran, and the elegant Gajgamini ki Chaal. Through expressive abhinaya, Guruji brought alive a soulful Ram Bhajan, a vivid depiction of Govardhan Leela in Indra Taal, and a lyrical Kavit, concluding with a brilliant Jugalbandi. The classical arts, he said, are based on mastering the rhythms of the human body and our feelings. 'It is hard to master these but the discipline built in learning arts transforms people into composed individuals who are adept in finding the mental and emotional balance required to tread the turbulence of life.' Gagnai is very active on social media and has thousands of followers. This helps him to take his art to the people he once thought were 'way out of reach.' 'I have reached people I never thought I would be able to connect with. I receive regular messages not only appreciating my art but also the ones that show I have been able to trigger wider interest in classical art forms,' he said. Classical dances and singing genres take years to perfect and this is only possible by patronage. And social media, he thinks, is chipping in on this front as well by allowing people to earn by showcasing their art online. 'People can put out their performances online and create a channel to earn without having to compromise on their passion. This enables artists to keep their pursuit of passion going while also spreading the art simultaneously,' he said.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grief & tributes pour in over theatre maestro Thiyam's death
1 2 Guwahati: The death of renowned theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam plunged the nation into mourning, with an outpouring of grief and tributes from political leaders, cultural figures, and theatre communities across India. Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and former chief minister N Biren Singh led the the tributes from Manipur, highlighting his significant contributions to India's cultural landscape. In a statement, the Manipur govt said, "With profound grief and deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Padma Shri recipient and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Ratan Thiyam — a towering figure in Indian theatre and a cultural icon of Manipur. We join the artistic fraternity and the nation in remembering his extraordinary legacy." The Manipur Raj Bhavan said on X, "The Governor stated that his invaluable contribution to Manipuri theatre and culture will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. " Singh, in a post on X, wrote, "It is with deep sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ratan Thiyam, a true luminary of Indian theatre and an esteemed son of Manipur. His unwavering dedication to his craft, his vision, and his love for Manipuri culture enriched not only the world of theatre but also our very identity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo His work carried the soul of Manipur — echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty. " Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called him "a leading light of the Theatre of Roots movement," saying, "Shri Ratan Thiyam dedicated his life to bring indigenous theatre and art practices to the global stage. A Padma awardee, his productions were rich in talent and messaging." Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said: "He was a visionary who redefined Indian theatre by blending contemporary form with the cultural soul of Manipur. His legacy will continue to inspire." West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee mourned him as "a true legend who put Manipuri theatre on the global map" and said, "His unique blend of tradition and experiment enriched Indian performing arts immensely and resonated worldwide." Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, also expressed his grief, saying, "Thiyam's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come." Renowned Kolkata-based theatre veterans like Rudra Prasad Sengupta and Kaushik Sen also paid tribute, recalling Thiyam's frequent presence at theatre festivals in the city and his powerful influence on modern Indian theatre. Ratan Thiyam was a trailblazer of the "Theatre of Roots" movement, which synthesised Indian classical, folk, and tribal performance forms with contemporary theatrical expression. He founded the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal in 1976, which became a national and international symbol of rooted yet experimental theatre. His groundbreaking works like Chakravyuha, Urubhangam, Uttar Priyadarshi, and Lengshonnei challenged the boundaries of traditional Indian theatre and brought the richness of Manipuri aesthetics, spirituality, and politics to the global stage. He was the recipient of many prestigious awards, including Padma Shri (1989) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987). He relinquished the Padma Shri in 2001 in protest against the Centre's decision to extend the ceasefire with the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland. Ratan Thiyam's passing is not only a great loss for Manipur, which he deeply loved and represented through his art, but also for the entire nation and the global theatre community. His relentless pursuit of truth, his seamless weaving of text and tradition, and his unmatched visual poetics have etched his name into the canon of world theatre.
News18
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Padma Shri Awardee Ratan Thiyam, Icon of Manipuri Theatre, Dies At 77
Veteran theatre director and Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam passed away in Imphal at 77. Veteran theatre director, playwright, and Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam passed away in Imphal early Wednesday, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that shaped Indian theatre and brought global attention to Manipuri performing arts. He was 77 years old. According to state officials, Thiyam breathed his last at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences around 1:30 am following a prolonged illness. His death has drawn heartfelt tributes from across the artistic and political spectrum, with many recalling his deep impact on Indian culture. 'Thiyam died at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at around 1.30 am on Wednesday after a prolonged illness," a state government official confirmed. Thiyam, who received the Padma Shri in 1989, was widely known for merging traditional Manipuri theatrical traditions with experimental storytelling and poetic imagery. As the founder of the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal, he carved a unique space in the Indian theatre landscape. He also briefly served as the director of the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, between 1987 and 1988. Mourning his passing, the Manipur government issued a statement expressing deep sorrow. 'With profound grief and deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Padma Shri recipient and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee – Ratan Thiyam, a towering figure in Indian theatre and a cultural icon of Manipur," the government said. 'We join the artistic fraternity and the nation in remembering his extraordinary legacy. Heartfelt condolences to his family, disciples and admirers around the world." Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also shared a personal tribute on X (formerly Twitter), describing Thiyam as a 'true luminary of Indian theatre." 'His unwavering dedication to his craft, his vision, and his love for Manipuri culture enriched not only the world of theatre but also our very identity. His work carried the soul of Manipur, echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty," Singh wrote. May his soul rest in peace! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
