Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 25: The ninth edition of the ‘Mangaluru Kambala’ will be held in a unique and festive manner on December 27 at the Ram–Lakshman pair track of Gold Finch City in Bangrakuloor, said Kambala Committee president and MP Capt Brijesh Chowta.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Chowta said the traditional buffalo race will be organised in an eco-friendly manner. The event will be inaugurated at 8.30 am by K Chittaranjan, president of the Kankanady Brahmabaidarkala Garadi. A formal programme will be held at 6 pm under the chairmanship of industrialist K Prakash Shetty, with BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and other dignitaries expected to participate.
Explaining the ‘New Year, New Format’ concept, Chowta said the Kambala will feature five special activities and four competitions. As part of the 500th birth anniversary celebrations of Rani Abbakka, an art exhibition depicting her heroic legacy will be organised in collaboration with the Rani Abbakka Tulu Study Centre, Bantwal. Marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, 150 girl students will sing the national song.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for environmental conservation, saplings will be distributed during the Kambala. Under the ‘Back to Ooru’ concept, nine entrepreneurs who returned to their native places and successfully established businesses will be honoured. Special arrangements will also be made for residents of old-age homes to witness the Kambala.
Honorary advisor to the Kambala Committee Vijay Kumar Kanginamane said that around 160 to 170 pairs of buffaloes are expected to participate this year. Winners in both senior and junior categories will be awarded two pavans of gold.
Honorary advisor Prasad Kumar Shetty, vice-presidents Kiran Kumar Kodikal, Sanjay Prabhu, Joys D’Souza, Vasanth J Poojary, Nandan Malya, Ajith Bopayya, Guruchandra Hegde, Abhishek Rai, Ishwar Prasad, Sakshath Shetty, Prakash Garodi, convenor Santyaguttu Sachin Shetty, secretary Avinash Suvarna, Sujith Pratap and others were present.
Adding colour to the event, several competitions will be organised as part of the Kambala celebrations. ‘Rang the Koota’ painting competition will be held for children up to 10 years under ‘Rang Elya’, and for those aged 10 to 15 under ‘Rangd Malla’. There will be no age limit for the ‘Rang Koota’ category. A photography competition on Mangaluru Kambala will also be organised, with winners receiving a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
An ‘AI Creative Yodha’ competition will be held to creatively showcase the spirit of Mangaluru Kambala using artificial intelligence. A reels competition has also been announced, and participants can upload reels created during the Kambala on Instagram using the hashtag #mangalurukambala and tag the official Kambala account.