Ratan Thiyam is new NSD chair

Manipur-born playwright, theatre director and Padma Shri recipient Ratan Thiyam has been appointed chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD) here.

"The president of India has appointed Ratan Thiyam for a period of four years as per the relevant rules and regulations," an official release said Monday.

The 66-year-old Thiyam received formal training at the NSD and returned to Imphal to form his own theatre group - Chorus Repertory Theatre - in 1976.

Thiyam studied painting before he turned to theatre. His plays lend an artistic wizardry to the entire production that is rich in visuals, with melodious music lending a poetic tinge to it.

For Thiyam, themes like social welfare in the midst of political jamboree have always found space in his plays.

"Urubhangam" (Broken Thigh), "Chakravyuh" (Army Formation) and "Lengshonnei" (an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's "Antigone") are some of his popular plays.

Thiyam was NSD director for a brief stint in 1987-1988. He was also honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in direction in 1987.