Spellbinding Netravati-Phalguni Kambala held at Pilikula

Spellbinding Netravati-Phalguni Kambala held at Pilikula

MToday News

Mangalore, Feb 12: The Pilikula Nisargadhama Society in association with Kambala Samiti of D K and Udupi districts’ organized the Netravati-Phalguni Kambala at Samskruthi Grama of Pilikula on Saturday February 12.

 

 

“It is important that the traditional sports such as the Kambala should be promoted and preserved as an identity of the Tulunadu heritage” said N Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University after inaugurating the event. Alok Mohan, IGP, Western Zone was the chief guest of the occasion. Abhayachandra Jain, Mudubidri MLA, John Norohna, Mrs Philomena Lobo and Bhujanga Shetty were other special guests present.

 

 

 

Netravati-Phalguni Kambala is one of the yearly programs organized by the Pilikula Nisargadhama Society to promote tourism in the district. This is the fourth consecutive year since the Netravati-Phalguni Kambala was launched in 2008. Over 100 pairs of buffaloes are taking part in the two day event this year concluding on Sunday February 13.

 

 

A huge crowd from Mangalore and near by area as well as tourists witnessed the spectacular Buffalo race.  A foreign couple who were present in the venue was overwhelmed by the race and are planning to make a documentary video of the Kambala in South Kanara.

Gopinath Venur, one of the participants explained how a Kambala buffalo is nurtured and maintained to be ready for the race. “All buffaloes are examined for its health before taking part in the Kambala. The age of the buffalo is determined according to the number of teeth it has. The price of a Kambala buffalo may go upto 3 to 4 lakh rupees depending on its health and racing capacity” he said.

 

 

J R Lobo, Director of Pilikula Nisargadama Society welcomed the gathering. Dr Jeevandhar Ballal proposed the vote of thanks.

 

KAMBALA, the traditional buffalo race held every year in many locations in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi in Karnataka and Kasargod in Kerala from December to March. Kambala is basically a traditional sport very popular in this part of the world which attracts a lot of tourists every year. It is believed to be an ancient Tuluva cultural sport. In the past, this cultural sport flourished under the royal patronage of kings and famous Land lords. The Mangalore Kambala, popularly known as the Hobali Kambala, is an annual event at the Kadri Kambala fields. It is sponsored by the Kadri Kambalaguthu.

Kambala was known to be a tribute paid by the farmers to their gods for blessing their crops. It is also observed as the beginning of sowing seeds of Paddy and other vegetables.