Mathuranagari: Dhanuyatra, the world’s largest open air theatre, got off to a colorful start Saturday with a cultural march from Sanskruti Bhawan that culminated at Samaleswari Temple.
Following some rituals, the cultural team accompanied by scores of performing artistes and locals arrived at the royal court, set up at Hatapada, the venue of the festival’s inauguration.
The Mahotsav was unveiled with customary cutting of ribbons and lighting of ceremonial lamps by the guests. Bargarh MLA Debesh Acharya, Bargarh Lok Sabha MP Pravash Singh and Rajyasabha MP Prasanna Acharya were present on the occasion. Among others who graced the occasion were the district collector and Dhanuyatra Mahotsav Committee president Khagendra Kumar Padhi, working president and SP B Jugal Kishore, committee secretary Sureswar Satpathy and royal court convener Rajendra Prasad Singh.
Speaking on the occasion, the guests described Dhanuyatra as a unique tradition of the state, which has assumed global recognition. With the inauguration of the festival the Bargarh town has been turned into the fabled Mathuranagari, the capital of demon king Kansa.
As part of the drama, king Kansa Saturday dethroned his father Ugrasen when the latter was solemnising his daughter Debaki’s marriage with Basudev. Kansa removed all the loyal subordinates of Ugrasen and reduced him to a sentinel and put Debaki and Basudev in jail.
However, his joy of ascendance was short-lived with unseen sky words alerting him that the eighth child of Debaki would be reason of his death. A worried Kansa ordered for some amusement programmes to overcome his worried mental state. Artistes of Brajeswar Nrutya Kala Parishad of Kumbhari, Shubhasri Shankhadhwani Anustthan of Narendrapur and Maa Divyarupa Kala Parishad of Bargarh
performed on the occasion.
PNN
