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Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Monsoon Dreams dazzles Hyderabad
Hyderabad's vibrant cultural calendar witnessed a mesmerising evening of dance and storytelling as Chowrangee, the city's emerging art and culture platform, hosted Monsoon Dreams at the historic Taramati Baradari. Presented by the renowned Tanusree Shankar Dance Company, the evening was a seamless blend of classical choreography, spiritual themes, and Tagorean philosophy. Tanusree Shankar, the legendary dancer and choreographer of international acclaim and a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, led her company through an enchanting repertoire. The first half of the performance featured a series of her iconic choreographic pieces, including Ganesh Vandana, Shiva, Serenity, Court Dance, Cloud, Wrishya Vihar, and Amity. These performances explored a spectrum of moods and themes ranging from divinity and peace to the grandeur of royalty, environmental beauty, and women's empowerment. Each piece was underscored by the distinctive compositions of the late Ananda Shankar, Tanusree's husband and an avant-garde musician in his own right. The unique fusion of traditional Indian rhythms with contemporary instrumentation lent the ballets a modern yet rooted energy, which was met with thunderous applause from a packed audience. The second half of the evening was dedicated to a captivating dance ballet titled Chirantan, inspired by the works of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Known for his poetic portrayal of love, peace, and human unity, Tagore's ideals were brought to life through expressive choreography, compelling music, and rich symbolism. Chirantan conveyed a vision of hope, spiritual awakening, and the triumph of love over hatred—especially poignant in today's world. A highlight of the segment was the evocative narration and voice-over by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. Coupled with the soul-stirring music by Debajyoti Mishra, the ballet unfolded as a tribute to the enduring relevance of Tagore's message: a world free from fear, guided by truth and compassion. Chowrangee, the organiser of the event, is a Hyderabad-based cultural platform that aims to spotlight India's artistic heritage through inclusive and innovative programming. Inspired by the spirit of Bengal yet inclusive of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds, Chowrangee is dedicated to fostering meaningful cross-cultural dialogues. Its curated offerings span theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, making it a rising force in Hyderabad's cultural scene. Backed by the not-for-profit Bengal and Beyond Foundation, Chowrangee remains committed to presenting high-quality, immersive performances that unite communities and celebrate shared human values. Monsoon Dreams stood as a testament to this mission, leaving the audience spellbound with its lyrical storytelling and artistic grandeur.


Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Chowrangee's ‘Monsoon Dreams' enthrals audiences
Hyderabad: Chowrangee, Hyderabad's innovative art and culture platform, recently presented 'Monsoon Dreams', an evening of exquisite dance ballet performed by the Tanusree Shankar Dance Company at Taramati Baradari on Sunday. Tanusree Shankar is a renowned dancer and choreographer of international acclaim, as well as a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. The first half of the evening featured her classic choreographic pieces, including Ganesh Vandana, Shiva, Serenity, Court Dance, Cloud, Wrishya Vihar, and Amity. These performances explored a wide range of themes, such as spirituality, peace, grandeur, monsoons, the environment, and feminism. Many of the dance pieces were accompanied by the unique and distinctive melodies of the legendary modern composer Ananda Shankar, Tanusree Shankar's late husband. The audience responded to this segment with enthusiastic applause. Rabindranath Tagore, renowned for capturing the essence of love in his poems, songs, and writings, emphasized the importance of harmonious living in a world full of conflict. The second half of the evening featured a ballet titled 'Chirantan', which showcased excerpts from Tagore's extensive body of work. This performance reinforced the belief in truth, love, peace, and spirituality that unites humanity. It culminated in a spellbinding ballet that depicted the arrival of a peaceful dawn, symbolizing an era where love triumphs over hatred—a sanctuary of hope, goodness, and tranquility. The segment was further enhanced by Amitabh Bachchan's narration, complemented by Debajyoti Mishra's beautiful music.


Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Theatre was his protest': Pune remembers Ratan Thiyam
Around 50 people gathered at the condolence meeting held at The Box in Pune to remember one of the most towering figures of Indian theatre, Ratan Thiyam. The event had eminent director Atul Pethe reading excerpts from a write up about Thiyam and playwrights Ashutosh Potdar and Satish Alekar and filmmaker and film educator Anupam Barve talking about Thiyam. Thiyam died at 76 at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal. The condolence meeting recalled the influence of Thiyam, who had brought many of his iconic plays to Pune. Alekar shared many important incidents, facts and insights about Thiyam, his theatre and Manipuri tradition and culture. Thiyam's works seamlessly merged ancient Indian performance traditions with contemporary narratives. His death marks the end of an era in Indian performing arts. Thiyam was a recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987 and is remembered as a theatre guru who redefined the language of stagecraft in India. 'This is a massive loss to the cultural field of Manipur, and Indian theatre as a whole. A few years ago, we lost the other side of the coin, the director Heisnam Kanhailal. Now, with Ratan ji gone, Manipuri theatre has lost both its giants,' said Alekar, a Marathi playwright and co-founder of the Theatre Academy of Pune. Born on January 20, 1948, Thiyam was a student of Ebrahim Alkazi at the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi. 'He didn't replicate Alkazi's theatre. Thiyam created his own theatre with his own roots- Manipuri roots, which are distinctly different from Indian mainstream traditions,' said Alekar. In plays, such as Antigone, Urubhangam, Ritusamhara and Andha Yug, Thiyam developed a language of theatre that was spiritually intense, visually immersive, and politically resonant. 'Andha Yug was not just a play. It was a complete visual and sonic experience. The chorus was composed entirely of Manipuri performers. It became a tragedy of the people of Manipur told through a new angle. That was the genius of Ratan Thiyam,' said Anirudha Kuthwad, director and theatre educator associated with NSD and FTII. Thiyam often referred to theatre as a medium of protest, not mere performance. 'He believed in theatre as a tool to voice the pain of his people. He once said in a discussion, 'I see theatre as protest. I see the play as a protest.' And that's how he lived it,' added Kuthwad. One of his later landmark productions, When We Dead Awaken, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's work, was placed in the contemporary context of Manipur's turmoil, reinforcing his commitment to using myth to critique the present. Kuthwad echoed the sentiment, 'We may never see someone like him again. His devotion, his creative energy, even in his senior years was unmatched. He didn't just take Manipuri theatre to India, he took it to the world.' 'The government should take note of what Ratan and Kanhailal built. What Manipur needs right now is not more politics, but cultural intervention- classical concerts, traditional performances, contemporary plays grounded in reality. That would be the true homage to Ratan Thiyam's life's work,'said Alekar.


India Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Ratan Thiyam, Indian playwright and theatre icon, dies at 77
Legendary Indian playwright, theatre director, and cultural visionary Ratan Thiyam died in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 77, leaving behind a towering legacy in Indian theatre. He breathed his last at around 1:30 am at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, where he had been undergoing treatment.A pioneering figure in the "Theatre of Roots" movement, Thiyam was best known for fusing traditional Manipuri performance styles with contemporary theatrical forms, crafting a distinctive stage language that earned him critical acclaim both in India and abroad. His decades-long career transformed the landscape of modern Indian theatre, making him one of its most revered and influential contributions were recognised with numerous national and international accolades. His honours included the Indo-Greek Friendship Award (1984), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987), Fringe Firsts Award at the Edinburgh International Festival (1987), and the Padma Shri conferred by the Government of India in 1989. In 1990, he gained global recognition with the Diploma from the Cervantino International Festival in Mexico. His later awards included the Kalidas Samman (2005), John D. Rockefeller Award (2008), Bharat Muni Samman (2011), and the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) in 2012, capping his legacy as a true cultural titan. He also received the Bhupen Hazarika Foundation Award in news of his demise spread, tributes and condolences poured in from across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described Thiyam as 'a leading light of the Theatre of Roots movement' and 'a brilliant ambassador of the rich culture of Manipur and the Northeast.''He used art as a powerful vehicle to convey the emotions and aspirations of the people,' Sarma said in a heartfelt tribute on social Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also expressed deep sorrow over Thiyam's passing, calling him 'a true luminary of Indian theatre' and 'an esteemed son of Manipur.' Singh remembered Thiyam for his unwavering passion for theatre and his role in preserving and promoting Manipuri cultural heritage through the stage.'His work carried the soul of Manipur, echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty,' Singh a former chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD), is credited with elevating Indian theatre to international standards. His innovative use of movement, music, and stagecraft brought alive themes of identity, morality, and human conflict, grounded in Indian philosophical and aesthetic for iconic productions such as Chakravyuh, Uttar Priyadarshi, and Andha Yug, Thiyam built a formidable reputation as a master storyteller, philosopher, and cultural guardian. His theatre company, Chorus Repertory Theatre, based in Imphal, became a training ground and home for aspiring artists from across the Thiyam's death marks the end of an era, but his artistic spirit will continue to resonate through generations of theatre practitioners, scholars, and contributions not only brought Manipuri theatre into the national spotlight but also made a lasting impact on the global stage.- Ends


NDTV
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Theatre Doyen Ratan Thiyam Dies At 77 In Manipur After Long Battle With Post-Covid Complications
Ratan Thiyam, an Indian playwright and former National School of Drama director, died on early Wednesday morning at around 1.30 am at RIMS Hospital in Imphal, Manipur, after a prolonged battle with post-COVID health complications. He was 77. The renowned Manipuri playwright and director was one of the towering figures of the Indian theatre circuit. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987 and was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in the country, in 1989. A pioneer of the "theatre of roots" movement, Ratan Thiyam's masterpieces such as Chakravyuha and Uttar Priyadarshi masterfully blended ancient Indian traditions with modern narratives, earning global acclaim. Ratan Thiyam also served as head of the National School of Drama before focusing on his own theatre, the Chorus Repertory Theatre, founded in 1976, transforming Manipur into a cultural hub. His socially and politically charged plays reflected the rich Manipur's cultural heritage, captivating audiences worldwide with this grand visual style. In 2024, Manipur honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh led the tributes for Ratan Thiyam, calling him "a revered son of Manipur" "It is with deep sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Shri 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. His work carried the soul of Manipur, echoing its stories, its struggles, and its beauty. It is with deep sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Shri 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… — N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 23, 2025 "May his soul rest in peace and his spirit continue to live on in the works he leaves behind and in the countless lives he inspired. May we all find strength in remembering his immense contributions to our cultural landscape," the Chief Minister wrote in an X post alongside an old photo with Ratan Thiyam. To allow relatives, friends, and fans to pay their last respects to Ratan Thiyam, a floral tribute has been arranged at the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal, following his final rites which will be performed according to Hindu traditions. Ratan Thiyam's death leaves a void in the world of theatre, but his timeless works will ensure that his spirit endures with his legacy continuing to inspire generations.