Udupi: Kambla Season Concludes – A Look at Past Glory, Revival
 
Report and Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SP)
 
Udupi, Mar 25: Long ago in the coastal district of Tulunadu, Kambla used to be organized in very vast paddy fields with slush ; while it was a widely accepted practice to make the buffalos race during the last stretch of ploughing of the paddy fields before planting the seedlings for the summer season.  The practice of racing the buffaloes became a folk sport owing to its health benefits, which attracted the people from all over neighbouring villages. 
 
All the petty rulers who ruled small provinces from Barkur to south of Kasargod, which then comprised of Tulunadu in the past centuries and pre-Independence era, encouraged Kambala by laying special emphasis for the upkeep of Kambla venues. With the onset of the modern era, new technology has been introduced in staging Kambla events, under the leadership of district Kambla Committee, an authority in its own rights on Kambala, buffalo’s race in the entire undivided Dakshina Kannada (DK) district.  Kambala events in the district are well patronized by the people from all over the district and neighbouring districts.  It is significant to note that Kamabla events are viewed not only from the angle celebrations but also as a means of worship.

During this season, Kamabla events were held in 17 venues under the aegis of the district Kambala committee.  Among them, Madhav – Anant Jodukare Kambla and Kshetrapala – Naga Brahma Jodukare Kambla were the latest additions.  The Kambala that was traditionally held at Majeshwar adjacent to Karnataka – Kerala boundary, under the district Kambla committee was cancelled owing to scarcity of water for preparing the Kambala field and Mudoor – Padoor Jodukare Kambla, Kavalakatte, in Bantwal taluk was also cancelled for some reasons.  All the Kambla events were held in four categories such as Kane Halage, Adda Halage, Negilu and Hagga; while at Kadri Kambla, it was held in just two categories.
 
Koti – Chennaya Kambala that was held at Moodbidri, near here this year witnessed maximum buffaloes, with 210 pairs taking part in it.  The Kambala events promote communal harmony, since the spectators and participants regardless of castes; creed and religion get engaged in the events, besides in the recent past, more number of Kambla enthusiasts are taking part along with their pairs of buffaloes in Kambala, buffalo’s race. Every Kambala event becomes a grand success with the taking part of more numbers of spectators and buffalo’s pairs as compared to the previous years.  The traditional families that bred their Kambla buffaloes and earned name and fame in the past are once again joining the arena, in order to bring back the past glory of Kambala.
 
The buffalo’s pair owned by Kolachur Kondett Sukumar Shetty has bagged the highest number of trophies in the Kambala events in the year 2008-09, under the category of Hagga Kiria, a distinct achievement indeed.  His buffalo’s pair bagged trophies for the consecutive second year from the district Kambla committee.  However, the district Kambla committee has done away with the practice of awarding overall trophies this year. 
 
The number of buffalo’s pairs that participate in Adda Halage category are increasing while Kane Halage category is seeing lesser number of contestants.  Kana Halage was much patronized with five to ten buffalo’s pairs participating in it in the past, while it has been reduced to one to three pairs in the recent Kambla events that posed a setback to this category.

Kambalas were usually held during the day in the past. However, that has changed and Kambalas are also held during the night under the brightness of tube lights, as electricity has reached the far-flung villages.  Later, the events were held in flood-lit venues as the practice now.  Meanwhile, to avoid the confusion over the decision in case of a close finish, video facility was introduced with a  third umpire. 
 
Future Plans:
 
Kambla Committee has plans to set up full-pledged Kambala venue at Alevoor, near here, based on the assurances of state administration and that Kambala sport has been gaining popularity across the district.
 
It has plans to organize training to buffalo racers from August – September every year, since their numbers are increasing at the Kambla event. 
 
It has plans to organize Krishi Mela and exhibition of Tulunadu cultural hierarchy and sport at the Kambla venue beginning from 2009.  Besides, it has plans to set up first-aid facility at the venue organize training to buffalo handlers under the aegis of zilla panchayat sport division. 
 
Although the direct relay of Kambla event by local TV channel is being held, the number of spectators is increasing; Kambla committee has the plans to organize many more such events in various location across the district here.  Hope the Tulunadu folk sport of Kambla gets ever lasting popularity.