Vilas Janwe Honoured at National Mime Festival in Kolkata

Kolkata: Vilas Janwe from Udaipur, representing the Martand Foundation, was honoured at the National Mime Festival held in Kolkata. The recognition was presented on stage by Padma Shri awardee Guru Niranjan Goswami, Founder-Director of the Indian Mime Theatre, Kolkata.

The festival, organized to mark the 50th anniversary of Indian Mime Theatre, took place from March 24 to 30, 2026, at the National Mime Institute in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The event witnessed participation from over 160 artists representing states including West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

Vilas Janwe captivated the audience with his mime performances on themes such as suicide awareness and “Bad Versus Good”, blending entertainment with a strong message of social reform.

On the occasion of World Theatre Day, Guru Niranjan Goswami also launched his Bengali book titled “Mime Teaching Methodology.” He encouraged artists to create new mime acts that promote peace and harmony across the world.

The festival served as a vibrant platform for artists from across the country to showcase their talent while celebrating the rich legacy of mime theatre in India.