Khandagiri Jatra begins today; theatre enthusiasts await performances by star artistes

The annual Khandagiri Jatra, one of Odisha’s most prominent traditional theatre festivals, will commence on Tuesday, drawing jatra enthusiasts from across the state. Several leading and popular opera parties are set to stage their performances at the historic venue. The festival will continue until February 7.

Around 15 jatra troupes are scheduled to perform during the event, offering a wide range of plays and bringing together renowned artistes and large audiences. On the inaugural night, popular troupes such as Singha Bahini, Konark, Dhauli, and Ashok Samrat will present their hit productions.

The opening day is expected to witness strong public interest, with a much-anticipated face-off between popular jatra performers Piyush Tripathy, often referred to as the “bad boy” of jatra, and Daitari Panda, popularly known as the “jatra tiger,” drawing significant attention from theatre lovers.

Safety Measures and Guidelines

In view of crowd management and public safety, permission has been granted to each organising committee to arrange seating for up to 2,500 spectators. Item dances have been prohibited at the Khandagiri Jatra, and the Commissionerate Police have issued 14 guidelines to regulate the smooth conduct of the event.

Bijaya Jena, a member of the Managing Committee, said strict measures have been implemented to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. “No obscene dance performances will be allowed. A maximum of 2,500 chairs will be permitted, with a 30-foot gap maintained to ensure the movement of fire service vehicles. Seating arrangements will also ensure adequate leg space so that audiences can comfortably enjoy the shows with their families,” he said.

Also Read: Khandagiri Jatra: Commissionerate Police issues set of 14 strict guidelines

Enthusiasm Among Viewers

Jatra enthusiasts expressed excitement ahead of the festival. A regular viewer said he has been attending jatra performances for the past 14 years and enjoys watching meaningful plays. He added that he was particularly eager to watch Piyush Tripathy perform this year, given the actor's growing popularity.