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Dhanu
Yatra in Orissa Brings Past Alive BARGAH (Orissa): During a unique form of festivity, the remote Bargah town in Orissa transforms itself into a sprawling open-air theatre every year. The town celebrates 'Dhanu' (Bow) festival which depicts the triumph of Lord Krishna over his tyrant uncle, King Kansa who had imprisoned his parents and forced him to live in exile for years. So while Bargah has been redone as the epic town Mathura, the birth place of Krishna, the town's million-odd people are literally living life back in time. The people not only dress up in styles dating back to the mythological period but different places, settlements and even rivers are addressed by classical names adopted from the Mahabharata. According to scholars, the origin of 'Dhanu Yatra' is obscure. Some say it was very popular in the 18th century while others argue that it started in the 16th century. Although the festival celebrated its official golden jubilee in 1999, there is evidence to believe that the yatra was instituted during the British regime. "This Dhanu Yatra was started with an aim to fight the British and bind people in tradition. But when India attained freedom, the festival lost much of its glory. But then people again gathered together and to save the heritage, this theatre in eastern India was started again. Since then it has been going on again," said Shyam Sunder Raghav, president of the organising committee. Ironically, though Lord Krishna is the hero of the entire drama it is Kansa whose characterizations dominate the festival. Hundreds of people volunteer to play one of Indian mythology's most hated character. Gopal Sahu, a police officer who has been playing the coveted role for the last four years, is overwhelmed by the attention he gets. "I am a police officer but my duty is one thing and playing this role is another. Kansa's aim is to kill Krishna at any cost," said Sahu. Kansa, astride a decorated elephant, goes round the city every morning. During the tour, he imposes fines on anybody he chooses to. In 1994, the then chief minister Biju Patnaik, who attended the yatra, was summoned to Kansa's durbar (court). Patnaik not only obliged but even deposited a fine for a punishment served on him. Apart from mythology, what adds real interest to the festival is the visual additions of modernity. -ANI |
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