#### National Mime Festival @ Jaipur — A Memorable Gift to Theatre Lovers 🎭

The Rainbow Society, Jaipur organized the National Mime Festival on 29th–30th October 2025, a grand celebration of the silent yet powerful art of expression — mime. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the festival brought together renowned mime troupes from West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Rajasthan, offering audiences a rare and captivating experience of pure performance art.

Under the guidance of Padma Shri Guru Niranjan Goswami, who established mime as an independent stage art in India, the festival aimed to deepen understanding of angik, aharya, and satvik abhinay — the core of non-verbal performance. Niranjan Dada emphasized the need for constant innovation to keep theatre alive and relevant.

Workshops held at Ravindra Manch for young enthusiasts featured practical mime training by eminent artists including Vilas Janve (Udaipur), Pranab Jyoti Hiruu (Assam), Sabyasachi Dutta (West Bengal), Vichitra Singh (Jaipur), and Ghanshyam Mahawar. Participants explored facial expressions, body language, and rhythmic movements in depth.

The festival opened at Krishnayan Auditorium with three mesmerizing mime acts directed by Sabyasachi Dutta of Srishti Mime Theatre, Jalpaiguri, based on Rabindranath Tagore’s Kaal Mrigaya, followed by The Peace and The Soldier Mime. Jaipur’s Do Kadam Sanstha, led by Asif Sher Ali Khan, presented an abstract mime, while Rainbow Society concluded the first day with Meera Bai — a devotional performance directed by Siraj Ahmad Bhati, featuring Garima Parikh, Yogendra Parmar, Vichitra Singh, Preeti Dubey, Ramkesh Meena, Deekshank, and Vinay.

The grand finale featured “Bachpan Tu Wapas Aa” by Vilas and Kiran Janve (Udaipur) from Martand Foundation, which won hearts with humor, nostalgia, and emotional depth. Bihar’s Aakriti Rang Sansthan staged “Karikh”, portraying the struggles of the Kalbeliya community, while Pranab Jyoti Hiruu’s “Mime Time Madness” from Assam filled the hall with laughter.

The presence of international director Padma Shri Niranjan Goswami elevated the festival’s stature. All participating artists were felicitated by Mohammad Salim Bhati (Patron) and Vichitra Singh (President) of Rainbow Society.

The event was graced by Kathak Guru Prerana Shrimali, Prof. Archana Srivastava, Prof. Shiva Toomu, theatre personalities Rajeev Acharya, Narendra Arora, and Purnendu Shekhar (Mumbai) among others.

Shailendra Saxena expressed heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Culture, participants, audience, and media for their support.

The festival not only revived the timeless charm of mime but also inspired young theatre artists across Rajasthan to explore the silent yet expressive world of this profound art form.

🕊️ Report by Manila Singh, Jaipur