Sushil Kumar Mehar from Chichinda village has been selected as the new Kansa Maharaj for the world-famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra festival. Additional District Magistrate Mahendra Mohapatra announced the selection at the District Magistrate's office today.
Mehar was chosen from 44 applicants after 36 contestants performed in a competitive selection process held yesterday at the Town Hall.
Judges evaluated contestants based on appearance, voice, dialogue delivery, presence, and intelligence, as the festival requires artists to deliver dialogues extempore. Mehar has previously played Kansa, Ravana, and other roles in different productions.
The 11-day Bargarh Dhanu Yatra Festival, which transforms the town into Mathura and Ambapali into Gopapura, is scheduled to be held from December 24 to January 3.
Selections for the lead roles are conducted every three years. Other key roles were also announced alongside the new Kansa.