Ratan Thiyam – founder of the Chorus Repertory Theatre in Imphal who died earlier this year – will be honoured with the Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement for 2025, the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (SBKK) has announced.The award will be presented on November 17 at a ceremony to be held at Kamani Auditorium in the city followed by a performance of the Chorus Repertory Theatre.The Board of Trustees of SBKK said it had decided earlier this year to present the award to Thiyam, who had accepted the honour and agreed to come to Delhi to receive it. However, he passed away on July 25.His son, Thawai, will now receive the honour on behalf of his father.Thiyam devoted his life to synthesising tradition with modernity. His plays – Chakravyuha, Uttar Priyadarshi, Andha Yug, among others – redefined Indian theatre as spiritual meditation. By blending Manipuri music and dance, classical Indian thought, and contemporary stagecraft, he forged a language of universality.Published - November 14, 2025 01:21 am IST