The World’s Largest Open-Air Theatre Festival: Bargarh Dhanuyatra

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Bargarh Dhanuyatra

Dhanuyatra is an annual open-air theatre festival based on the Puranic theme of Kansa and Krishna. This grand festival takes place in Bargarh, Odisha, spanning an 8-kilometer radius around Bargarh town, making it the largest open-air theatre in the world.

In the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Krishna, born in the prison cell of Kansa, the arbitrary and cruel king of Mathura. Kansa wanted to kill Krishna due to a divine warning that the eighth child of Devaki and Basudeva would be his doom. Krishna was raised in Gopa, near Mathura. Despite Kansa’s relentless attempts to kill him, he failed. Ultimately, Kansa cunningly organized a Dhanuyatra to invite Krishna and Balaram, intending to kill them. However, during the Dhanuyatra, upon encountering Krishna and Balaram, Kansa met his demise. This forms the theme of the Dhanuyatra festival.

Practically, the visit to Mathura (Bargarh town) becomes the center of attraction during the festival. The actor portraying Kansa uses creative improvisation in presenting the play. For instance, Kansa once ordered the Superintendent of Police of Bargarh to find the stolen child from his prison. During the festival, Kansa becomes all-powerful, and everyone must obey him, making the event extraordinary. To witness it is to believe it. In the evening, Kansa’s court is enacted. Notably, Biju Pattanaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha, was once fined along with his ministers during the festival. In 2014, the Department of Culture of the Government of India recognized Dhanuyatra as a National Festival.

The daily vegetable market inside the town transforms into the main stage of the festival. The second stage is set up in the Nishamani High School field near Kalimandir. A temporary stage is constructed using bamboo, cloth, and decorative materials. The cement concrete roofs of market shops serve as the main platform, while the Nishamani field provides ample space for the audience to enjoy the show. Cultural troupes perform before King Kansa, invited guests, and an audience of all ages.

Dhanuyatra evokes strong emotions not only among the local people but also among visitors from other regions. Even the actors themselves become so immersed in their roles that they forget the outside world during the festival. People enjoy the festival with immense enthusiasm and eagerly await its return the following year.

India is truly a land of wonders. As A. L. Basham famously exclaimed, “The wonder that was India.” Indian life is deeply rooted in its history, religion, and culture. Although modernity has transformed us, we cannot escape our traditions, for they shape our mindset and remain the way of life.

(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)

Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur.  He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.

(Photo has collected from net )