Bargarh: The world-renowned Dhanu Jatra, celebrated as the largest open-air theatre in the world, commenced today in Bargarh town with grandeur.
The festival was inaugurated by Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit, in the presence of local MLA Ashwini Kumar Sarangi and other dignitaries.
The 11-day festival, which runs until January 13, is based on the theme of ‘Mathura Vijay,’ narrating the victory of Lord Krishna over his tyrannical uncle, demon king Kansa.
The entire town of Bargarh transforms into the mythical city of Mathura, while the neighboring Ambapali village becomes Gopapura. The Jeera River, flowing near the town, symbolically represents the Yamuna River during the festival.
Throughout the festival, residents of Bargarh actively participate, considering themselves subjects of King Kansa. Various episodes from the childhood of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram are enacted, bringing the age-old tales to life.
Dhanu Jatra has been celebrated annually since 1947, marking India’s independence from British rule. Over the decades, it has become a significant cultural event, attracting thousands of visitors from across the globe.
The Odisha government has increased financial grants for the festival from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore, aiming to elevate Dhanu Jatra to an international cultural platform.
An additional ₹50 lakh has been allocated for promoting the event and live broadcasting. For the first time, the festival will be live-streamed on LED screens in major cities, including Bhubaneswar. The National School of Drama (NSD) will create a documentary capturing the essence of the festival.
In recognition of the contribution of artists, the state government will provide an honorarium of ₹10,000 each to 170 prominent performers associated with Dhanu Jatra.
To secure global recognition, the Odisha government plans to form an expert committee to advocate for Dhanu Jatra’s inclusion in UNESCO’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ list.
