Imphal: Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has ordered to observe a one day State Mourning and fly the National Flag at Half Mast throughout the state and said there will be no official entertainment on the day of State Mourning as a mark of respect to Ratan Thiyam, on Thursday.
Ratan Thiyam, a renowned playwright and theater director, born on January 20, 1948 passed away on Wednesday.
He won Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987. He was one of leading figures of the “theatre of roots” movement in Indian theatre, which started in the 1970s.
He died at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Lamphelpat, Imphal.
MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam asked the governor to declare Thursday (July 24) state holiday in memory of the great son of the soil.
He wrote to the governor, “Just as we, the people of our beloved state, and you as our head of state, mourn the passing away of Shri Ratan Thiyam, a doyen of modern Manipuri theatre and an internationally acclaimed playwright, I request you to kindly declare tomorrow a state holiday in memory of this great son of the state.”
He said, “For a state which has often been celebrated and toasted as a hub and embodiment of rich culture, when it loses one of its rare cultural icons who has been acknowledged not only in the state and the entire country but also globally, it calls for a solemn and befitting acknowledgement of his contribution and legacy.”
