Lesson: The Art of Silence

A. Picture Discussion (Pictures not provided)

Look at the pictures of Partha Pratim Majumder. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions:

1. What is Partha Pratim Majumder doing in the two pictures?
2. Describe his facial expressions.
3. Describe his physical features: his age, how he looks, what he is wearing, his hairstyle, etc.

Now, write a short description of Partha Pratim Majumder.

(Note: Please refer to the pictures provided with your original lesson materials)

B. Reading

Partha Pratim Majumder: Master of Mime

Before human language, communication took place between humans through signs and gestures. As humans began to use their vocal cords, these silent gestures were no longer used as the primary means of communication. But they did not completely disappear. They evolved as a form of art that came to be known as “mime.”

In a Bangladeshi village, a little boy came to know about mime as he watched a performance in his village. He was so fascinated by the show that he was determined to master this art. The name of that little boy was Partha Pratim Majumder.

Majumder is undoubtedly a forerunner in the field of mime in Bangladesh. He started as a musician, and his keen sense of rhythm helped him to let his limbs move and express his thoughts through gestures.

Partha Pratim Majumder is the first Bangladeshi to take up mime as a profession. He performed in several television shows in Bangladesh and gained popularity. In his mimes, Majumder depicted the day-to-day lives of the people—their sadness, tears, as well as their happiness and laughter.

Majumder’s turning point came in 1979 when he was asked to give a solo performance at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The French ambassador to Bangladesh at the time, Mr. Loic Moreau, happened to be in the audience. Mr. Moreau noticed the talent in Majumder. In 1981, the French Government offered him a scholarship so that he could get professional training in mime. This was the first time that a student was granted a French scholarship in mime. Majumder started his training under the legendary maestro, Etienne Decroux. Through Decroux, he met another celebrated mime artist named Marcel Marceau. Marceau transformed modern mime by taking it to an unimaginable height.

Marceau was impressed by the young Bangladeshi talent and offered him a place in his mime school named ‘Ecole Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris Marcel Marceau’. This mime school is the largest and best in the world.

During his three-year training period, Majumder practiced 16-18 hours daily until every bone in his body felt like breaking.

After his time with Marceau, there was no looking back for Majumder. He staged solo performances in England, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the USA. French, Canadian, and American TV channels enthusiastically aired his shows.

In 2009, a French play featuring Majumder won the “Moliere Award,” which is the highest distinction in French theater.

As a pioneer of the art of mime in Bangladesh and for popularizing this artistic genre, the Bangladesh government honored Majumder with the “Ekushey Padak” in 2010.

The Government of France has also honored him for his contribution to the art of mime throughout the world with one of the highest cultural awards of France, titled “Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters), in 2011.

[Sources: The Star Magazine, a weekly publication of The Daily Star, January 27, 2012, and Partha Pratim Majumder’s Letter to Chairman NCTB, February 2, 2013]

Questions: Choose the best answer.

1. Before speech, communication took place through ______ language.

   • a) written
   • b) sign
   • c) spoken
   • d) art

2. What form have silent gestures evolved into?

   • a) drama
   • b) cinema
   • c) mime
   • d) dance

3. In olden times, the actors who performed mime used to put white paint on their:

   • a) limbs
   • b) body
   • c) face
   • d) hair

4. The word “fascinated” in the second paragraph of the text means:

   • a) enchanted
   • b) encouraged
   • c) silenced
   • d) upset

C. True/False

Read the text in Section B again. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. If false, provide the correct information.

1. Ancient Egyptian art shows that people at that time interacted with one another through signs.
2. In ancient times, humans used only a few words as their primary means of interaction.
3. Partha Pratim Majumder is among the first people to perform mime in Bangladesh.
4. The turning point in Majumder's life was when he performed at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
5. Marcel Marceau’s school of mime is in Barcelona.

D. Comprehension

Read the text in Section B again and answer these questions:

1. What is “mime”?
2. What helped Majumder express himself clearly while performing mime?
3. What did he depict through his performances in the beginning?
4. Why was the French ambassador impressed when he saw Majumder’s performance?
5. Describe the awards in art and culture that Majumder received. Why were they given to him?

E. Project

Do you know anyone who has skills to perform a special feat?

Write about that person, covering the following points:

• The first time the person became aware of this skill.
• When the person began to practice it.
• People who supported him/her.
• His/her achievements/recognitions.

If you do not know anyone, research someone and write about that person using the guidelines above.