The capital city is set to host a national mime festival and workshop organised by the Bharat Bhavan, in association with the Department of Youth Affairs and The Mimers, Thiruvananthapuram.
Mime troupes from across the country are participating in the three-day festival titled ‘Echoes of Silence’ which begins here on Friday. The event is organised to popularise the theatrical technique that uses movements and gestures to communicate with the audience.
Minister for Culture A.K. Balan is scheduled to inaugurate the festival at the Bharat Bhavan on Friday evening. Member Secretary, Bharat Bhavan, Pramod Payyannur will preside over the inaugural ceremony.
Eminent mime artistes Niranjan Goswamy, Y. Sadananda Singh and Vilas Janwe will be honoured at the function.
Heralding the event
A rally was taken out in the city on Thursday evening to herald the event. Cyclists and motorbike riders dressed as mimes participated in the rally.
Over the next three days, mime troupes from different States will perform before young artistes from colleges in Kerala and the general public. Mimes presented by Niranjan Goswamy, Director, National Mime Institute; and Kalpatharu Guha; will be the highlight of the first day’s performance.
Workshop
The workshop includes sessions by experts on mime and body language, theatre and visual media, non-verbal act, Kathakali and martial arts. Those interested in participating can call up the number 0471-2321747 or 99954 84148 or email to bharatbhavankerala@gmail.com for registration.
Admission to the mime shows is free but a fee of 100 will be charged for the workshop. Thespian Nedumudi Venu will inaugurate the valedictory on May 12.