Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 24: Kambala, a traditional sport of farmers that is held in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts not only to prove the prowess of buffaloes raised and trained by well-known families, but also as part of religious customs. At present, the high court has placed a ban on organizing of Kambalas based on the notion that animals are being treated violently during this sport event. A pragmatic analysis of the ground reality and whether the buffaloes are really being treated badly the entire year becomes necessary in the light of controversy over the said ban and views being expressed by people both for and against conducting buffalo races in agricultural fields.

Kambala happens to be a traditional sport that has a touch of culture and religious beliefs. In Kambalas, buffaloes which are carefully brought up are raced in slushy fields and those who steer the buffaloes try to see that the animals take the straight route to the other end of the field by running as fast as possible. The high court, relying on the claim of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that animals are treated violently in Kambalas, has placed ban on it until further orders.

In the light of ban, there is curiosity in the minds of the people how the buffaloes are treated during the remaining eight months of a year barring Kambala season. Surprinsingly, owners of these buffaloes hire separate personnel to look after these buffaloes by paying a monthly pay of Rs 10,000 to 1 5,000. The buffaloes are given a feel of slushy fields by taking them to agricultural fields in the morning, after which they are given a thorough wash with soap and water. They are thereafter taken to the training sheds specially built for them where their bodies are wiped clean and coconut oil is anointed to their bodies. They are provided with horse gram weighting about 14 kg every morning and evening. This horse gram is fed in powdered form by using machines for the purpose. About 15 sheaves of hay is also fed to the buffaloes. On an average, the owners of these buffaloes spend around Rs 40,000 every month for their maintenance. These buffaloes are not used for agricultural work but just being provided with Kambala race training.

Praveen, a caretaker of buffaloes, reveals that the Kambala buffaloes lead lavish lives as their owners look after and love them like their own children. They provide them good care during eight months of every year, while during the remaining four months, these buffaloes take part in some prestigious Kambalas. None of the 300 odd Kambala buffaloes presently found in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district are used for agricultural work. At present, farming has been mechanized and the practice of using of animals for farming has been done away with. Therefore, owners of the Kambalas are devastated at the prospects of having been compelled to give the buffaloes so lovingly cared by them to slaughterhouses if Kambala is banned.

Kambalas are also run in the name of gods, and there are number of prestigious Guthu lineages which have been organizing Kambalas since centuries. For example, Tiruvail Guthu lineage of Naveel Alva from Vamanjoor has remained a leading family in organizing Kambalas. The Kambala being organized by this family in the field belonging to it is known as 'Devara Kambala' or god's Kambala. The owners are not prepared to buy the argument that buffaloes are being treated violently at Kambalas.

Owner of Kambala buffaloes, Naveen Alva, points out that the buffaloes are looked after all through the year with love and affection without inflicting any violence to them. He says that these buffaloes bring laurels and prestige for the families by winning awards at Kambalas. The people of the coast too are aghast at the fact that a couple of whipping here and there, which are meant to regulate and inspire the buffaloes during the races, are being treated as violence, and the care and concern shown to the animals all through the year are totally overlooked.

Kambala ban - protest planned 

A meeting held in the city with president of the district Kambala Samiti, Shantaram Shetty, in the chair on Wednesday November 23 condemned the restrictions placed on Kambala organizers, and decided to file an appeal in Supreme Court against the ban and also bring pressure in the parliament to ammend the relevant provisions. At the same time, protest will be organized to register the popular opinion in favour of Kambalas.

"Placing of restrictions on holding of Kambala, a traditional rural sport, is improper. If there is provision to do so, Kambala Samiti will file appeal in the Supreme Court against the said order. A delegation of six leaders will go to New Delhi to file petitions with environment department and minister concerned to move a motion relating to separation Kambala from Jallikattu, both of which are listed under the same rules, which is pending since long, in the parliament session," said president of Uppinangady Vijaya Vikrama Kambala, Ashok Kumar Rai. Samiti members pledged to wholeheartedly support every effort to conserve Kambala.

Samiti members unanimously decided to organize movement of the people in favour of retaining Kambala sport through mega protest. It was decided to hold the protest in the city and to invite leaders and peoples' representatives from all the parties, castes, and other fields. It was decided that about 250 to 300 pairs of buffaloes will be brought together during this protest in which about one lac people will take part. A procession will be taken out to the office of the deputy commissioner from Pumpwell, at the end of which, protest will be held. To draft the detailed plan of action of this protest, a meeting is proposed to be held at Miyar Kambala field at 3 pm on November 27.

Kambala Samiti general secretary, Vijay Kumar Kanginamane, convener, Seetaram Shetty, treasurer, P R Shetty, secretary, Ashok Kumar Mada, Traditional Kambala Committee president, Sudhakar Shetty, Dr Jevandhar Ballal Baradi and several others were present at the meeting.