Imphal, Oct 6: Heism Kanhailal, an intertiolly recognised theatre director, passed away here on Thursday morning. Born on January 14, 1941, he devoted his life to the field of performing arts and was honoured with Padma Bhushan. He married actor Sabitri, a Padma Shree awardee, and they together founded Kalakshetra Manipur in 1969 to promote theatre. He had been indisposed for some time and was confined to his theatre centre. Kanhailal was conferred Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution to theatre, and Sangeet tak Aakdemi Award for direction in 1985. He also got the Sangeet tak Akademi Rat award in 2011. (IANS)