Rezwan Razan

Mime Artist

Introduction

Rezwan Razan: The Voice of Silence

Rezwan Razan is a celebrated star of Mime in Bangladesh whose artistic journey began in 1995. Redefining the medium, he moved away from traditional European pantomime to adopt a unique narrative theatrical style. This approach is deeply rooted in the Bengali region and shares a classical lineage with the ancient pantomime of Greece and Rome.

With over a thousand performances worldwide, Rezwan has dedicated his life to a “language without language,” believing that while words can bring destruction, silence is a beautiful strength that can cross any barrier.

Awards

One of the greatest contemporary Mime Artist

Since 1995, Rezwan Razan has been a leading figure in the world of Mime in Bangladesh. Moving beyond European pantomime, he adopted the narrative theatrical style of the Bengali region, a form consistent with the ancient traditions of Greece and Rome. Throughout his prolific career, he has composed and directed seven mimodramas and nearly forty sketch mimes.

Beyond the stage, Rezwan has performed over a thousand shows globally and served as the editor of the ‘Pantomime’ journal from 2009 to 2020. In 2017, he published ‘Jana-Ojana’; while not the first book on the art of Mime in the region, it stands as an essential reference text (anchor book) for the discipline and an indispensable guide for theater students.

As the founder of the Bangladesh Mime Federation and the Bangladesh Street Mime Council, his current mission is to establish a professional Pantomime School in Chattogram.

1. Honorary Award for Distinguished Artist 2025

Awarded by: The Bangla Center SCIO, Scotland

Date: July 20, 2025

Venue: FSC Millport, ISLE of Cumbrae, Scotland, UK

The Bangla Centre SCIO is a Scottish charitable community organization based in Glasgow, dedicated to promoting Bangladeshi arts, culture, education, and community development in Scotland. Established to support cultural exchange and social inclusion, the organization provides Bengali language education, cultural programs, youth activities, community welfare initiatives, and multicultural events that strengthen connections between the Bangladeshi community and wider Scottish society. Through arts, heritage, and educational projects, the Centre plays an important role in preserving Bengali cultural identity while encouraging diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding across Scotland.

2. Pratidhwani Commemorative Honor 2022

Awarded by: Thakurnagar Pratidhwani Cultural Center

Date: March 20, 2022

Venue: Pratidhwani Office, Thakurnagar, North 24 Pargana, West Bengal, India

Thakurnagar Pratidhwani Cultural Center is a community-based cultural organization dedicated to promoting Bengali arts, theatre, music, literature, and traditional cultural practices in West Bengal, India. The center works to encourage artistic development and cultural education through performances, workshops, festivals, and community engagement programs. By supporting emerging and established artists, the organization plays an important role in preserving regional cultural heritage while fostering creativity, social awareness, and intercultural exchange within the local and wider Bengali community.

3. Drishaya-Chaya Mime Organizer Honor 2019

Awarded by: Drishya Chaya

Date: May 3, 2019

Venue: Theatre Institute Chattogram (TIC), Bangladesh

Drishya Chhaya is primarily a production house based in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Television dramas, films, and documentaries are the main focus of its work. Beyond visual media, the organization is also deeply interested in street performances and theatre. The organization also works with emerging and professional artists to create creative platforms for artistic expression, cultural education, and social engagement. Through workshops, stage productions, exhibitions, and collaborative cultural programs, Drishya Chaya contributes to the development of contemporary arts.

Every year, Drishya Chhaya honors artists from various artistic disciplines. The organization believes that no one can grow alone; collective effort is the true path to success.

4. Mime Artist Award 2019

Awarded by: Dhaka University Mime Action (DUMA)

Date: April 11, 2019

Venue: TSC Auditorium, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka University Mime Action (DUMA) is a prominent mime theatre organization based at the University of Dhaka, dedicated to developing mime, physical theatre, and experimental performance arts in Bangladesh. The organization provides a creative platform for students and young performers to explore socially engaged theatre through non-verbal storytelling, movement, and visual performance. Through stage productions, workshops, festivals, and cultural collaborations, DUMA has contributed significantly to the growth of contemporary mime theatre and artistic activism within Bangladesh’s cultural landscape

5. International Mime Artist Award 2017

Indo-Bangla Cultural Festival,

Awarded by: Mini Mine Mime, India

Date: March 26, 2017

Venue: Oikatan Mancha, Naihati, West Bengal, India

Mini Mine Mime is a mime and performing arts organization based in West Bengal, India, dedicated to promoting mime theatre, physical expression, and creative cultural activities among young and emerging artists. The organization focuses on developing non-verbal storytelling and experimental performance practices through workshops, stage productions, community programs, and cultural festivals. By encouraging artistic innovation and cultural participation, Mini Mine Mime contributes to the preservation and growth of mime theatre traditions within the contemporary performing arts scene in India.

6. Independence Day Award 2016

Awarded by: Bijoy Bangladesh

Date: March 25, 2016

Venue: Engr. Abdul Khalek Auditorium, Press Club, Chottagram, Bangladesh

Bijoy Bangladesh is a social and cultural organization in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The organization is widely recognized for its social awareness initiatives through creative activities. In particular, its anti-drug cultural programs have received much appreciation.

The organization supports theatre, music, performance art, youth engagement, and community development initiatives that encourage artistic expression and cultural participation. Through festivals, workshops, public performances, and collaborative programs, Bijoy Bangladesh contributes to strengthening cultural identity, creativity, and social unity within the local community and the wider cultural sector of Bangladesh. The organization also occasionally honors distinguished individuals and contributors for their outstanding contributions to society and the cultural sector.

2016

Independence Day Award

Bijoy Bangladesh, Chattogram

2017

International Mime Artist Award

Indo-Bangla Cultural Festival, India

2019

Mime Artist Award

Dhaka University Mime Action

Certificates

Artistic Philosophy & Solo Productions

For Rezwan, Mime is a powerful tool for social responsibility. He is known for his vocal stance against injustice, using his performances to build public opinion and stage protests from the theater to the streets. His solo works often feature a single actor portraying multiple characters to explore complex socio-political issues.

Notable Solo Productions:

Silence Impossible
Silence Impossible Bangladesh
Tragedy Comedy
Only puzzle in my eyes

Group Productions & Direction

Rezwan has composed and directed seven mimodramas and nearly forty sketch mimes. His group works often involve large casts of 20 to 30 performers, focusing on the “mime genre of Bangladesh”.

Key Group Works:

A silent night
Freedom
An innocent death
Are we human?
Struggle to survive

Leadership & Academic Contributions

Rezwan is a pillar of the artistic community, serving as a founder and leader for several major institutions:

President: Pantomime Movement, Chattogram.
Founder Convener: Bangladesh Mime Federation.
Founder Chairperson: Bangladesh Street Mime Council.
Director & Secretary: Bangla Mime Research Center.
Editor: Quarterly Pantomime — the first bulletin in the country devoted exclusively to the art of mime.
Author: ‘Jana-Ojana’ (2017) — While not the first book on Mime in the region, it is widely acknowledged as one of the foundational reference texts on the art of mime and an indispensable guide for theater students.

Professional Background

Education: M.A. in Bengali Literature; Post Graduate Diploma in Mime from the National Mime Institute, Kolkata, India.
Teaching: Former Head of Performing Arts at Presidency International School and Visiting Faculty at Jagannath University (2012–2017).
Global Presence: A regular participant in international festivals, including the Bangkok Theatre Festival (Thailand) and various festivals across India (Kolkata, Delhi, Rewa).

The Eternal Dream

Rezwan’s ultimate mission is the establishment of a professional Pantomime School in Chattogram. He continues to strive for a world of peace and love, spread through the universal art of silence.

Repertoire

William Gillbert has over fourty roles in his repertoire