Mangalore: Historic Kadri Kambala Recaptures Royal Patronage to Folk Sports

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)

Mangalore, Dec 12: The historic Kadri Kambala was inaugurated at the Kadri Kambala fields here on Sunday December 12 morning.

The Kambala began under the banner of Kambala Samiti with the traditional ritual of honouring the buffaloes by the family head of Kadri Kambala Guttu, in the presence of the Swamiji of Kadri Yogishwara Mutt, Mahantharasa Rajayogi Sandyanathji.

A slushy field race arranged on the occasion was inaugurated through breaking a coconut by A Sadananda Shetty, chairman of Shree Devi Educational Institutions. Breaking a coconut is a culture of Tulu people undertaken to initiating any auspicious work. In his inaugural speech Shetty said that Kambala not only gives physical strength but also provides intellectual boost. He sought co-operation of everybody to such events.

P Jayaram Bhat, senior banker, who was the chief guest at the event, said that slushy field race is a meaningful rural sport. History says paddy growers began celebrating annual harvest with Kambala and Kesaru Gadde (Slush field) is the place where our food is grown. He grieved over the fact that the city children are unaware of these kind of rural traditional entertainment.

The women’s tug-of-war was inaugurated by district in-charge minister J Krishna  Palemar.

The  Tulunada Tappangai contest arranged on the occasion was inaugurated by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

The buffalo race will begin at noon, with the participation of buffalo pairs from the district and surrounding regions. The race has several sections for competitions, based on the capacity of the pairs.

The Kambala also witnessed some foreigners. Speaking to Daijiworld, Carl Fiford and Ali Piotrowsca from England said that they are happy to witness the historic glory of coastal Karnataka. They added that
coastal Karnataka has unique identity in the global level because of its rich culture and history. They expressed their joy by applauding when children below 12 years began their race in the slushy field and
encouraged to reach the destination.

Dakshina Kannada kannada Sahitya Parishad president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Shivanand Karkera, Ln K J Devadiga and Bhaskar Shetty among others were present.

Kadri Navneeth Shetty, chief convenor of the Kambala Samiti conducted the event.