Veteran artist of Bargarh Dhanuyatra Ghasiram Sahu passed away at the age of 84 at his Gangadhar Nagar residence of Bargarh town.
For decades he was the Rupakar (decorator) in the famous Dhanuyatra of Bargarh and was an integral part of the famous festival of Odisha, the world’s biggest open air theatre. “His artistic touch made the artists, including the main character of the Yatra, Kansa Maharaj, lively during the Yatra. The touch from his fingers had a sort of magical attraction,” said one of the chief organizers of the Yatra Sureswar Satapathy.
“Ghasiram was also performing his duties during the 11-day-long Dhanuyatra with all interest,” he recalled further. “This year, we will feel his absence,” Satapathy admitted. At this sad news, all the important personalities of the town and district rushed in to the residence of Ghasiram to have the last visit. Those who visited were Bargarh MlA Debesh Acharya, municipality chairman Prasant Behera, Kansa Maharaj Hrushikeh Bhoi, Mahamantri Pradeep Panda, Sub Collector Bhimsen Ekka and many others. Even people from far off places of the district gathered in his residence. His elder son Debananda Sahu performed the last rites (Mukhagni) at the Jeera river that is treated as Yamuna during Dhanuyatra. Due to the poor condition of the old artist, the district administration and municipality also provided financial assistance to the poor artists from the Red Cross and other sources.
It needs to be mentioned here that Ghasiram who applied for an artist pension (Kalakar bhatta) had been deprived of it for the last 20 years.