In a major announcement for the highly anticipated 78th edition of the Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, veteran theatre actor Sushil Meher has been selected to play the iconic role of King Kansa, the tyrannical demon king in the mythological drama.
Meher was chosen after a three-day rigorous audition held at Bargarh, where over 291 artists competed for various roles.
Specifically for the role of Kansa, 44 actors applied, of whom 36 made it to the final round, judged on voice modulation, stage presence, and dramatic performance.
The final cast list was confirmed in a formal announcement by Additional District Magistrate and Dhanu Yatra Committee vice-chairman Mahendra Mahapatra.
Hailing from Chichinda village in Bargarh’s Bheden block, Meher is a seasoned stage artist best known for his powerful portrayals of mythological characters like Ravana and Jarasandha.
This will mark his debut in the Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, though he brings considerable theatrical experience from other stages.
Expressing his gratitude, Meher said, “I gave my best … the question-and-answer round lasted more than 10 minutes … I am thankful to all the jury members and the district administration for choosing me.”
Festival Details & Significance
The 78th Bargarh Dhanu Yatra is scheduled to run from December 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026, spanning 11 days.
Dhanu Yatra is celebrated as the world’s largest open-air theatre festival, where the entire town of Bargarh transforms into mythological Mathura.
During the festival:
Bargarh becomes Mathura,
The Jeera River transforms into the Yamuna, and
Ambapali village becomes Gopapura, recreating scenes from Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay.
The narrative culminates in the downfall of King Kansa at the hands of Lord Krishna, dramatizing one of the most celebrated episodes in Hindu mythology.
