Bhuban: Like many others who have changed their profession to survive job loss amid COVID crisis, Gyanaranjan Sahu — a known name among opera lovers in Dhenkanal district — has been forced to change his.
Gyanaranjan, a resident of Badahat village under ward no-6 of Bhuban NAC in Dhenkanal district, is a known figure among opera enthusiasts. Opera lovers wait with bated breath for his powerful entry onto the stage and appreciate his dialogue delivery and acting skills with big rounds of applause. Negative characters are his forte.
He used to serve in the police department. Bitten by the acting bug during his childhood days, he eventually gave up the job and joined an opera party. In a very short period, he became a household name.
After working with many an opera party, Gyanaranjan is presently associated with ‘Swarnamahal’ opera party.
Narrating about how COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a blow to his life, Gyanaranjan says “Until the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, I had never ever faced with problems to run my 10-member family. The money I was earning was enough to meet the family expenses. As of now, restrictions have been imposed on organising opera shows rendering us jobless for five months now. We have started to feel the pinch.”
It has long been his lifestyle to remain awake all throughout the night and sleep during day hours. “With no work in hand, I found the time running slow during day hours. I decided I should join my father and brother’s welding shop at Kali bazaar before I could be a victim of depression like many others,” he says.
“The work is hardly giving my any satisfaction. Acting seems to be flowing in blood. My life minus stage and acting is meaningless. It will be near impossible to live without it. Like me, all the artistes and technicians associated with opera parties are passing through a tough time,” he adds
Informing that the opera artistes’ association and owners’ association have taken up the issue with the Chief Minister, Gyanaranjan says unless the government does something for the benefit of the opera parties, it’s only a matter of time before the pandemic causes a lot damage to the entire opera world.
PNN
