Imphal, Oct 6: Renowned theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal passed away today morning at his Langol Tarung residence after suffering from an illness. He was 75 years old. He was born on Janaury 17, 1941 at Keisamthong Thangjam Lairak, Imphal.
A borne artist and known to the world for his experimental physical theatre, Heisnam Kanhailal is the founder director of Kalakshetra , a theatre laboratory established in 1969. Kalakshetra is known throughout the world for its uniqueness in exploring a new vocabulary in the existing language of theatre.
In recognition to his contribution for promotion of Theatre activism across the country, Kanhailal was awarded Padma Shri in 2004 and later Padma Bhusan Award in 2016 by the Government of India.
He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Direction in 1985, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama.[4] In Dec, 2011, He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademy Ratna Award (the Highest ranked and most valued Akademy award)-2011.
He is married to Sabitri Heisnam, his theatre associate and a Padma Shri awardee.
