With the 11-day Dhanu Yatra barely a week away, rehearsals are going on in full swing for the final show. It is considered to be the largest open-air theatre festival of the world, which will begin from December 23.
This year, 55-year-old Bhubaneswar Pradhan of village Sarla in the district will perform the role of Kansa, the main protagonist of the Yatra. Bhubaneswar, who is owner of an opera party, was selected after an audition conducted by four-member team of jury on November 28. The rehearsal for the Yatra began on December 6 at Kalyan Mandap here.
Ashok Behera, who is the director, said the rehearsal was at its peak. The rehearsals are likely to end on December 19. “All the artistes, including Bhubaneswar, are performing well and they have already completed two rounds of rehearsal,” Behera added.
Speaking about his efforts, Bhubaneswar said he was trying his best to do justice to his character. Around 40 artistes, including musicians, are participating in the rehearsals for five hours every day. The theme of the festival has been influenced by ‘Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay’. The enactment of Day One begins with Kansa’s accession to throne and concludes with ‘Kansa Badha’ (death of Kansa) at the hands of his nephew Lord Krishna on the last day of the festival.
