The five-day long 2nd National Mime Festival organised by the KMTR and sponsored by North Eastern Council, Shillong, Ministry of DoNER was launched at the Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory (KMTR) in Langthabal Kunja, Imphal West on Saturday.
At the occasion, Union Minister of State RK Ranjan who attended as chief guest said that Manipur is a place where anything is possible with a positive zeal and a place where innovative ideas are born.
He said that if talented personalities in different trades are properly groomed, then they would certainly bring fame and name to the state as in sports.
Stressing on the need to popularise mime, the voiceless art form which expresses through gestures and body movements, he said the artistes who have been relentlessly working to make a name for the state in this art form must be appreciated and encouraged.
The art form must be popularised and included in the co-curriculum activities in schools and education systems and the talent of the people of the state needs exposure in other parts of the country, he added.
Ranjan also suggested that contacting mission offices in different countries through ICCR to include KMTR in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75 years of Independence could get KMTR more exposure.
In his presidential speech, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba stated that mime is an art form which originated long ago in Europe and a universal art form which is played silently and only through body movements and gestures, and the actions and expression are seen through the movements.
He said that the way of expression could be understood by each and every person in the whole world. He further stressed on the need to develop the art form not only in the Northeast but also in all parts of the country, mentioning that the art form plays a great role in national integration as there is no language barrier in mime.
The MP also prayed for the success of the festival and appealed to everyone to participate in the festival till its last day.
Mime artists from Mizoram, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Rajasthan will be participating in the festival. ‘Illusion, Love, Feelings, Dentists’ by Suvendhu and Subrata Das of Kolkata were showcased as the opening play of the festival
