Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, March 7: The prestigious two-day Bantwal Kambala kicked off in spectacular fashion on Saturday morning at Kudibailu in Navuru Village, bringing together enthusiasts, dignitaries, and local communities to celebrate the district’s rich cultural tradition.

Hariprasad Bollullaya performed the traditional religious rituals and offered blessings, marking the official start of the event.

The ceremonial lighting of the “Mooduru–Paduru” pair was carried out by Dr Pradmaprasad Ajil of Aladangadi Aramane Timmannaras, who inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering. He praised Ramanath Rai, highlighting his simplicity and noble personality, and his leadership in preserving the Kambala tradition while encouraging participation from people of all faiths. “It is commendable that this cultural heritage is being sustained, and I hope it continues to flourish,” he said.

Vikhyatananda Swamiji, Peethadhipathi of Soluru Arya–Ediga Mahasangha, inaugurated the stage and blessed the gathering. He said that in an era marked by caste and religious divisions, Kambala sports promote brotherhood and harmony. “The Kambala committee’s efforts in fostering unity through this cultural sport are truly praiseworthy,” he added.

The ceremony was chaired by the committee’s honorary president and former secretary, B. Ramanath Rai. Among the dignitaries present were Robert D'Souza, religious head of Allipade St Anthony Dharma Kendra; Gilbert Mascarenhas, advisor of the Bangalore Pallottine Region; and Mac Arun D'Souza, religious head of Farla Velankanni Math.

The gathering also included Prof Gunapal Kadamba, advisor of the Kambala Association; Bharath Mundodi, district guarantee implementation committee president; Narayana Naik, deputy chair; and Jayanti Poojary, taluk guarantee implementation committee president. Law enforcement officials such as Yashukumar, DySP Bantwal, and Ananya Shrivastav, IPS probationer, were also present, along with Melvin Lasrado, director of the Christian Development Corporation, and hotelier Nanjappa Shetty from Mysuru.

Several notable personalities and committee members attended the event, including Dr Rajaram Puttur, Mani Saju Umesh Mahabaleshetti, Balakrishna Shetty, Dharanendra Kumar, Kiran Shetty, Shailaja Rajesh, Chandraprakash Shetty Tumble, B Padmashekhar Jain, Padmanabha Rai Kalladka, Baby Kundar, B M Abbas Ali, Balakrishna Anchan, Sudeep Kumar Shetty, Chandrashekhar Bhandari, Sudarshan Jain, Rajeev Shetty Edturu, Philip Frank, Mahabal Alva, Jagadish Koiyil, Balakrishna (Pashusangopana Department), Ida Suresh, Mallika Shetty Amtadi, Mohammed Nandavar, and Sudhakar Shenai Khandig.

Pius L Rodrigues, president of the Kambala committee, proposed the welcome address, while Balakrishna Alva compered the programme, ensuring a smooth and engaging flow of the day’s events.

The inauguration drew widespread appreciation from the local community and visiting dignitaries for highlighting Bantwal’s cultural heritage while promoting interfaith participation and community spirit.