A tragic incident has struck the cultural community of Odisha after the body of a popular folk artist was discovered on a state highway. The deceased has been identified as Kanhu Charan Swain, a 50-year-old jatra artist from Badarampas village under the Hatadihi block.
Discovery of the Body and Police Response
In a shocking morning discovery on Thursday, locals found the lifeless body of Swain on the Hatadihi-Mareigaon road on State Highway-53. Authorities were immediately alerted. The police team that arrived at the scene transported the body to the Anandpur sub-divisional hospital for a medical examination. Doctors at the hospital formally declared him dead upon arrival.
Preliminary observations by the police indicated that the body bore multiple injuries. The law enforcement officials have initiated a thorough investigation to piece together the events leading to his death.
Initial Investigation Points to Road Accident
Speaking on the ongoing probe, Dharmendra Shanti, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of the Nandipada police station, shared the initial findings. "Preliminary investigation points to an accident. It appears he fell from his vehicle and died. The postmortem has been conducted, and we are investigating further to confirm the exact cause of death," stated Shanti.
The police are currently working to trace Swain's final movements and verify the circumstances surrounding the suspected accident. The postmortem report is expected to provide crucial forensic details.
Community Mourns the Loss of a Cultural Performer
The news of Swain's untimely demise spread rapidly through the region, leading to an outpouring of grief. A large crowd of mourners and local residents gathered near the Anandpur hospital, seeking a final glimpse of the beloved artist and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.
Providing insight into his last known activities, Swain's friend, Hemanta Samal, revealed that the artist had traveled to Randia village in the neighbouring Bhadrak district. The purpose of his visit was to finalize the date for an upcoming opera show, highlighting his active involvement and dedication to his traditional art form until the very end. His sudden death has left a void in the local jatra performance circuit.
