Here, love for tradition grows stronger. 57 actors apply to play role of demon king Kansa

By Mahendra Darjee

Bargarh, Nov. 4: This piece of news will surely bring smiles to those who love India’s rich culture and tradition. Despite the onslaught of movies, television and digital sources of entertainment on the traditional folk arts, people have not lost their love for open-air theatres based on mythological stories. This fact can well be gauged from the fact that as many as 57 actors have applied to play the role of demon king Kansa in world famous Dhanu Yatra at Odisha’s Bargarh.

According to sources, as many as 223 artists have shown their interest to become a part of the world’s largest open air theatre.

While 22 persons have applied to play the role of ‘Mahamantri,’ four persons are keen to enact ‘Sartaki’ in the play.

Similarly 10 persons have applied for Chanura Mustika, 17 for Akrura, 17 for Basudev, 14 for Narada, seven for Ugrasen, and eight persons for Debaki role.

However, Gopal Sahoo, who used to play Kansa role, and two others were eliminated from the Dhanu Yatra as they have crossed 60 years of age.

The selection of candidates for other roles will be held on November 7, 9 and 10, while the final selection of demon king Kansa will be held on November 10.

“We had released a notification for the selection of actors and received 223 applications. As many as 57 artistes have applied for the Kansa character. The audition will be carried out for three days on November 7, 9 and 10,” informed Mirdha Toppo, additional district magistrate of Bargarh.

“The artistes get a chance to act in the open theatre during Dhanu Yatra. Though I am not much experienced, but I am hopeful that I will get a chance to play a role of Senapati,” said Prabhas Kumar Tripathi, an artiste.

Bargarh Dhanuyatra is a 10-day annual drama-based open air theatrical performance which is witnessed by lakhs of people from across the country and abroad. Spread across an 8 km radius area around the Bargarh municipality, it is the world’s largest open air theater, one that finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.

During the Dhanuyatra, Bargarh municipality area turns into the historical town of Mathura Nagari, river Jeera turns into Yamuna, local Ambapaali village becomes Gopapura.

A pond by the side of Jeera river in Ambapali becomes the Kalindi Lake of the mythology. Nishamani School Ground turns into Rangamahal of  king Kansa.

The Dhanuyatra is based on the mythological story of Krishna, and his demon uncle Kansa.

The plays start with the dethroning of emperor Ugrasena by the angry prince Kansa, over the marriage of his sister Debaki with Basudeba, and ends with the death of Kansa, and Ugrasen getting restored to the position of king. There is no written script used in these enactments.

During this festival Kansa can punish people with a penalty for their mistakes. Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha was fined once along with his ministers.

The Union government’s culture department has accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra.