Mime: the earliest form of communication

Well-known Telugu actor and writer Tanikella Bharani addressed the participants of the Mime workshop conducted by Indian Mime Academy under the guidance of founder ‘Mime Madhu’ at Ravindra Bharati. Speaking on the occasion Tanikella Bharani mentioned that ‘Mime’ was one of the most ancient forms of communication, which was universal in nature.

He advised the young participants to understand the need to ‘get into a character’ and ‘feel the experience’. Just like mugging up a few lines and presenting the same on stage would not bring out a character on stage or in films, even in ‘Mime’ making movements or jerks would not bring the essence of a character.

One must know to distinguish between mime and something that could be close to dance. Films have a mass audience while performances like ‘Mime’ have a discerning audience, which would be closely scrutinising a performance. Speaking on the occasion Mamidi Harikrishna, Director, Department of Language and Culture emphasised that ‘Mime’ was always a communication that came from the heart.

There were hardly any considerations of caste, creed or religion when ‘Mime’ was the only point of communication. ‘Mime’ artistes did not have many opportunities in the past and such workshops would provide an opportunity to this art form to develop and come to centre stage.

By Jaywant Naidu