Selection of demon king Kansa begins for 78th Dhanu Yatra in Odisha’s Bargarh

Search for the next Kansa—the central antagonist of world-famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra—has begun. As preparations for the 78th edition of the grand open-air festival gain momentum, auditions started on Monday to select the actor who will portray ‘mighty king’ Kansa.

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Judges are evaluating candidates on the performance, voice, stage presence and dramatic intensity. Auditions, filled with anticipation, aim to identify the most impactful performer suited for the iconic role.

Over the past two days, the selection of supporting artists has been underway, while today marks the crucial round dedicated to choosing the actor for Maharaja Kansa.

A total of 44 applicants have submitted their forms this year for the prestigious role, appearing before the selection panel at Bargarh Town Hall. In a major decision, organisers have excluded former and controversial Kansa actors to provide opportunities for fresh talent, official sources said.

Amidst excitement, the big question lingers across Bargarh as to who will be crowned the ‘central villain and star protagonist’ of the globally celebrated Dhanu Yatra this year?

“I am feeling very happy to have taken part in the selection process. Everyone possesses an intense desire to act in the world-famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra,” a contender from Subarnapur district, Gopal Chandra Panda, said.

“With immense blessings of the Almighty and if He wishes so, and the audiences and Gurus bless me as well, I will certainly get an opportunity to play the role of demon king Kansa. In the audition, I delivered the dialogue of Kansa in Birarasa (heroic sentiment),” Panda stated to mediapersons.

Reported By: Dharmadatta Padhi