Bargarh: Theatre artiste Gopal Sahu, popular for his Kansa character in Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, passed away on Tuesday morning. He was 70.
According to sources, Das was suffering from diabetes and was admitted to a private hospital in Jharsuguda on Monday as he was feeling unwell. He breathed his last during treatment.
Sahu played Kansa for 23 years from 1984-1998 and 2001-2008 in the world’s largest open-air theatre spread over five square km. Bhubaneswar Pradhan was selected in 1999 but did not match the expectations of the organisers and Sahu was roped in again in 2001. The organising committee, however, replaced him in 2009 because of his failing health.
The ‘loss of his crown and make-belief kingdom’ went on to haunt Sahu for a long time. He preferred to stay indoors and watch the show on TV. “Raja thili, praja heli (I was king, now I have been reduced to a mere subject)” is how the sub-inspector of police had bitterly summed up his feelings.
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The credit for encouraging him to take up the role goes to his wife. She felt he was apt for playing Kansa because of his physique and voice. His nephew played the role of Krishna from 2005 to 2008. For the Dwapara Yuga king’s role, Sahu received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1994 and a lifetime achievement award from the then Chief Minister J B Patnaik.
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