Puttur: High action at annual Koti-Chennaya Kambala

Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (DV)

Puttur, Mar 4: The 21st annual Koti-Chennaya double track Kambala was organized by Jaya Karnataka under the initiative of N Muttappa Rai at in Devamaru field here on Sunday March 4.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the event, N Achutha Mudithaya, organizing committee president of Shri Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple said, "Tulunadu's rural sport Kambala is recognized at the international level; the old traditional practice of Kambala that was existing during the time of kings still continues in Tulunadu, which is a matter of pride for the Tuluvas."

The Kambala at Devamaru field has a traditional history. Around 21 years ago the Kambala was stopped but later under the initiative of former MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake and the late Jayanth Rai it was resumed, he said.

Savanoor K Seetharam Rai, convener of Vidyarashmi Education Institution in his presidential address said, "Koti-Chennaya Kambala is gaining popularity every year and it has established itself firmly in the sporting culture of Tulunadu."

Honorary president Vinay Kumar delivered the introductory address on the occasion.

N K Jaganivasi Rao, Chanila Thimmappa Shetty, Sundaresh Athajje, C U Poovappa, Nirmal Kumar Jain, C Sankappa Shetty and others were present as chief guests.

Kambala committee convener S Sudhakar Shetty delivered the keynote address, Kambala committee president N Chandrahasa Shetty welcomed, treasurer Prassana P N Shetty thanked, and Niranjan Rai Mattantha Bettu compered the programme.

This time 140 pairs of buffaloes took part in the Kambala. Three pairs of buffaloes of Vamanjooru Thiruvallu Guthu Navinchandra Alva, Barkooru Shantharam Shetty, and Beladi Bhava Shetty created a record by sprinkling water up to a height of 6.5 feet during the race.

Vinnu Vishwanath Shetty, Udupi, Ramesh Kalladka, RBI director Naveen Bhandary, Harish Rai Kaniyoor Baratha Sanman prize winner, film actress Anushka Shetty were felicitated on the occasion.              

M N Rajendar Kumar, president of SCDCC bank; Mangalore KMF director S B Jayaram Rai; RBI director Naveen Bhandary; Kambala referee Gunapala Kandambaru, Anushka Shetty, Harsha Kumar Rai spoke on the occasion and lauded the organizers and the old traditional folk sports of Tulunadu.      

Rakesh Malli, Prakashchandra Alva, Nabhiraj Jain, Jagadish Shetty Nellikatte, Sahaj Rai, Madava A R, A M Praveenchandra Alva, Raghu Bellipady, Sudheer Hegde, Nithin Pakala, K P Divakar, Satish Nayak, Surendra Rai, Durgaprasad Rai and others were present.