Bargarh, Nov 13: Two prominent aspirants, Hrushikesh Bhoi and Arttatrana Sunani, have been excluded from the selection process for the iconic role of Maharaja Kansa in this year’s world-famous Bargarh Dhanu Jatra.

According to Dhanu Jatra Committee President Sureshwar Satapathy, Bhoi’s name was dropped due to a pending court case against him, while Sunani was disqualified for exceeding the prescribed age limit. Both had applied to play the pivotal role in the 2025-26 edition of the festival.

The Dhanu Jatra, regarded as the world’s largest open-air theatre, will begin on December 24 and continue for 11 days, concluding on January 3, 2026. Ahead of the grand event, the committee has announced the schedule for artist selections.

The artist selection process will commence on November 15 at the Biju Pattnaik Town Hall premises and continue till November 17. Auditions will be held for various mythological characters, including Kansa, Devaki, Narada, Chanura, Mushtika, Sarthaki, Vasudeva, Akrura, and Ugrasena.

November 15: Selection for Devaki, Narada, Chanura, Mushtika, Sarthaki, Vasudeva, Akrura, and Ugrasena roles.

November 16: Auditions for Chief Minister and Commander-in-Chief.

November 17: Final selection for the prestigious role of Maharaja Kansa.

A total of 291 artists have applied to participate in the selection process. The role-wise breakup includes 44 for Maharaja Kansa, 33 for Chief Minister, 74 for Commander-in-Chief, 14 for Devaki, 20 for Narada, 17 for Chanura, 10 for Sarthaki, 18 for Mushtika, 30 for Vasudeva, 20 for Akrura, and 11 for Ugrasena.

All applicants have been instructed to report at Biju Pattnaik Town Hall by 9:30 AM on their respective audition dates.

The Bargarh Dhanu Jatra, which dramatizes the mythological story of Lord Krishna’s victory over the tyrant King Kansa, continues to be a major cultural and tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors from across India and abroad each year.