Organised by the Bangladesh Street Mime Council under the slogan “Jago Bahe Konchhe Sobay” (Wake up, everyone, where are you all?), the ‘Rangpur Street Mime Festival 2026’ was held in a festive atmosphere at the Shaheed Minar premises adjacent to Rangpur Town Hall on September 26. The event commemorated the renowned French mime artist Marcel Marceau.
The festival began with a discussion meeting attended by prominent figures from Rangpur city and leaders of the Bangladesh Street Mime Council.
Following the discussion, Chairman of the Bangladesh Street Mime Council Rezwan Razan formally inaugurated the council’s website via a video message.
Administrator of the Rangpur City Corporation Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury (Don) attended the discussion as the chief guest while Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Street Mime Council Asbabir Rafsan presided over the event.
Ihtiaz Tawki, the Council’s Secretary General, delivered the welcome address and Organising Secretary Rabiul Rabi delivered greetings address.
Former Principal of Carmichael College Mostafizur Rahman, specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Samarpita Ghosh Tania, faculty member at Begum Rokeya University Omar Faruk, President of the Rangpur Musical Band Association (RAMBA) Mohammad Jahir Alam Nayan, President of the Rangpur Natya Forum Chowdhury Mahmudunnabi Dollar, Chairman of Teesta University Ashraful Alam Al-Amin and Co-Chairman of the Bangladesh Street Mime Council Shakur Shahriar were present as special guests on the occasion.
The discussion was followed by a street mime performance featuring troupes from various parts of the country.
The performances included ‘Protibadi Krishak’ (The Protesting Farmer) and ‘Mukto Pakhi’ (The Free Bird) both produced by Naogaon Mime Theatre. Md. Shamim Sheikh was the writer of the script, the director of both pieces. Silent Theatre presented two mime performances titled ‘Dour’ (The Race) and ‘Durgamgiri’ (The Rugged Mountain) featuring Asbabi’s Rafsan in writing, direction and performance.
Kakashis Carmichael College, Rangpur, presented a mime performance titled ‘Ei Shohore’ (In This City), written and directed by Rabiul Islam Rabi.
The Chattogram-based mime troupe ‘Puran’ presented a piece titled ‘Jaat’ (Caste/Identity), written, directed and performed by Shakur Shahriar.
‘Mukto Bihanga’ of Rangpur presented the mime performance ‘Seemarer Protyaborton’ (Seemar’s Return), written and directed by Rabiul Rabi.
Rangpur Padatik staged the performance ‘Ekti Swapner Mrityu’ (The Death of a Dream), also written and directed by Rabi Rabiul.
In addition to the mime performances, the event featured musical presentations by local artists.
The artists’ flawless performances highlighting various societal and life-related incongruities through physical gestures amidst silence captivated the large audience present.
Joy Lala and Antara Akter moderated the event with Imrana Ansari Bithi providing sign language interpretation.
Mentionable, ‘Mukto Bihanga’, Rangpur, provided overall support for the entire event.
