Bargarh: A new artist will be selected to play the mythological character King Kansa during the upcoming world-famous Dhanu Yatra in Odisha’s Bargarh.
The mega annual event is slated to be held between January 3 and 13, 2025.
The decision to change the artist for ‘Kansa’ was taken during a preparatory meeting of the Dhanu Yatra Committee at the District Collector’s office on Friday.
The Committee decided to select a new artist to play the role of ‘Kansa’ as Hrusikesh Bhoi, who has been playing the important role, was recently suspended from service by the Health department of Odisha on bribery charge.
As per sources, Bhoi was working as hearse driver under the state government’s ‘Mahaprayan’ scheme in the district. His responsibility was to carry the dead bodies from the government hospital to the house of the deceased’s family. The service is rendered free of cost under the scheme.
Some time back, Bhoi had to take a body from the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bargarh to Bahala village in Gaisilat block. But he demanded Rs 3,000 from the family to take the body in the hearse. Though the family gave the money, they filed a complaint in this regard against Bhoi in the DHH. Following a probe into the complaint, he was placed under suspension.
It may be noted that Bhoi has been playing the central character of King Kansa in the Dhanu Yatra, which is considered as the world’s biggest open-air theatre, for the last several years. He has been selected for the role in 2025. The Yatra will start on January 3 and continue for 11 days.
