National Mime Theatre Festival concluded

Imphal , Nov. 12 : First National Mime Theatre Festival which was hosted by Manipur in a bid to revive and popularize mime theatre, was concluded on Monday.

The festival commenced on Saturday, was organised by Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory (KMTR) in state capital Imphal.

The Director of Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, Yumanam Sadananda Singh highlighted the objective of the festival and said that such festivals would uphold national integration and would also help to preserve the dying mime theatre.

"The main idea of organizing this mime festival is that we would like to broaden and practice the art of mime in Manipur, India and in the world. It will also uphold national integration because the artists of different states will interact through this mime festival," said Singh.

The festival began with the plays including 'Man versus Machine' by Nisabda, a socio-cultural organisation of Guwahati, West Bengal's Jalpaiguri Shrishti Mime Theatre's 'Tota Kahani' and KMTR's 'Body Speaks' on Tagore's Melodies'.

'Do Kadam' theatre group from Jaipur enacted a play 'The King and the Beggar' based on Tagore's Gitanjali while The Mimer from Kerala staged 'Khokababur Pratyabartan' based on Tagore's 'The Child's Return.'
Amid enthusiasm, an artist from Jaipur, Shruti expressed her happiness in participating in the festival.
"I have been working with my group for a long time and this is the second time we are performing. I am feeling great," said Shruti.

Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory (KMTR) has performed in various parts of the country and world, including Korea, Armenia, Macedonia and Greece.

The theatre group has produced 15 plays, including three masterpieces 'Cheitheng (Agony), Mirel Mansinga (The Spirit of Soul) and Love Your Nature. Mirel Masinga is a tribute to Irom Sharmila's indomitable spirit.