Bargarh Dhanuyatra 2024: New Artist Takes on Iconic Role of Kansa | Bhubaneswar News
Sambalpur: Bargarh Dhanuyatra will feature a new artist in the role of king Kansa, according to the preparatory meeting for the festival on Friday. Hrushikesh Bhoi, who played the role of Kansa since 2022, was dropped this year due to his suspension from the govt head driver job for allegedly demanding bribes.
The festival, believed to be the largest open-air theatre, is scheduled to be held from Jan 3 to 13 next year. The meeting, chaired by Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal also discussed formation of sub-committees that will look into various arrangements for the festival. The preparatory meeting was also attended by MLAs of Bargarh district.
The selection of the artist for the role of Kansa is held once every three years. Hrushikesh was in the first position in the last selection held in 2022. However, the recent controversy over his bribery demand from a family in Gaisilet led to his disqualification from the Kansa role.
Kansa’s role in the festival is immensely aspired by artists across western Odisha. Dhanuyatra’s central theme is borrowed from Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay. The artist in the role of Kansa becomes the king for 11 days in Bargarh, which is transformed into Mathura, and the Jeera river, which flows beside the town, becomes the Yamuna.
Similarly, Amapali, located on the outskirts of Bargarh town, is transformed into Gopapura. The rule of Kansa, his death, and the victory of Lord Krishna are enacted at various places in Mathura and Gopapura during the 11-day festival.
Goyal said, “We are going to start the selection process for the new Kansa. The artist selected earlier from serial numbers 2 to 5 will be called, and one of them will be chosen. Whoever is selected will be in the role for one year only.”
Convener of Dhanuyatra Mahotsav Samiti, Sureswar Satpathy, said, “Artist for the Kansa role is being changed multiple reasons. The preparatory meeting decided that artists selected in the previous audition (2022) will be considered rather than conducting another audition.”
The festival, believed to be the largest open-air theatre, is scheduled to be held from Jan 3 to 13 next year. The meeting, chaired by Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal also discussed formation of sub-committees that will look into various arrangements for the festival. The preparatory meeting was also attended by MLAs of Bargarh district.
The selection of the artist for the role of Kansa is held once every three years. Hrushikesh was in the first position in the last selection held in 2022. However, the recent controversy over his bribery demand from a family in Gaisilet led to his disqualification from the Kansa role.
Kansa’s role in the festival is immensely aspired by artists across western Odisha. Dhanuyatra’s central theme is borrowed from Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay. The artist in the role of Kansa becomes the king for 11 days in Bargarh, which is transformed into Mathura, and the Jeera river, which flows beside the town, becomes the Yamuna.
Similarly, Amapali, located on the outskirts of Bargarh town, is transformed into Gopapura. The rule of Kansa, his death, and the victory of Lord Krishna are enacted at various places in Mathura and Gopapura during the 11-day festival.
Goyal said, “We are going to start the selection process for the new Kansa. The artist selected earlier from serial numbers 2 to 5 will be called, and one of them will be chosen. Whoever is selected will be in the role for one year only.”
Convener of Dhanuyatra Mahotsav Samiti, Sureswar Satpathy, said, “Artist for the Kansa role is being changed multiple reasons. The preparatory meeting decided that artists selected in the previous audition (2022) will be considered rather than conducting another audition.”
