Mangalore: Popular Netravati-Phalguni Kambala Kicks-off on Spirited Note
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Feb 12: The fourth ‘Netravati-Phalguni’ Kambala (traditional buffalo race), jointly organized by the Pilikula Nisargadhama Society and D K, Udupi districts’ Kambala Samiti was inaugurated at Samskruthi Grama of Pilikula here on Saturday February 12.
N Vinay Hegde, chancellor of Nitte University inaugurated the Kambala. Alok Mohan, Inspector General of Police, Western Zone was the chief guest.
The guests lauded the efforts of the committee who brought out real essence of a traditional sport of coastal districts by arranging the Kambala.
J R Lobo welcomed the gathering. Dr Jeevandhar Ballal proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 105 pairs of buffaloes are participating this year and the event would conclude on Sunday February 13.
The Kambala will include competitions such as kana halage, negilu, running race in junior and senior section. Commentary in Tulu is another exclusive feature of the event. The buffalos are made to run in the 135 meter long slush track.
A couple from Germany Freddy and Lita who had come to enjoy the rural sports event were overwhelmed with happiness and were busy capturing the video footage. Speaking to Daijiworld they said that they would make a documentary of this unique traditional sport.
An owner of buffalo pair, Gopinath Venur also shared his handful experience. He says those buffalo which are to be prepared for the event needs extra care. They have to be given bath with hot water and oil on a daily basis.
Horse gram (Huruli) is the main food and hay is the staple food. 7 – 8 kg’s of horse grass should be given. Every week they should be taken for practice round. Usually Kambala buffalos look very dark, the reason is they are made to walk on the hot sun in order to make them very active, he noted.
Further sharing his knowledge he informed that the buffaloes with 6 teeth are put under the junior category. Every year they get 2 teeth each and when it turns to 8 they fall under the senior category in the contest.
The owner of the buffalo who buy the pair at the cost of Rs 4 lac will have to spend around Rs. 20,000 to participate in one Kambala event as 10 members are required in one team. They are taken on contract basis looking at their capacity to run with the buffalos. The runner will be compensated with Rs 2 lac per year.