Annual Kadri Kambla held on Sunday

Annual Kadri Kambla held on Sunday

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 5, 2011: Kadri Kambla, an annual sport event considered to be a significant part of the culture and lifestyle of Tulunadu, was held on Sunday. DK DC Dr. N. S. Channappa Gowda inaugurated the event. 

The traditional buffalo race was held in 3 categories—Hagga Hiriya (senior category), Kane Halage, and Hagga Kiriya (junior category). The first two categories were based on the age of the participating buffaloes and the third division included buffaloes driven by a man standing on a wooden plate attached to the plough.

Ramlal, one of the participants in the Kane Halage category, said that he had come all the way from Guruvayankere only to participate in the race, something that he has been doing for the past 35 years.

Showing his buffalo pair Gopala and Raja, he said that they have been participating with him for the past 8 years. Speaking about buffaloes, he said that they are strong animals and that he needs over Rs. 20,000 per month just to take care of them. 

Although the buffalo race is the most important aspect of this event, the Kadri Kambla Samithi also organized a series of rural sports to attract larger crowds.

The Kersaru Gadde Vota was held in two categories for boys and girls under 12, under 18, and an open to all category. Spot prizes were also given to children who looked the muddiest. Sharing his views, Ashwin Shetty (14) said that he has been participating in these games for the past 3 years, adding that it is the only time his mother doesn’t scold him for getting muddy. The tug of war competition was also held in separate men’s and women’s categories.
The most exciting event was the Tulunadu Thappangayi contest, requiring participants to reach a coconut to the goal. The Nidhi Hudukaata was yet another crowd-pulling event, challenging players to dig the sand to find hidden gifts. A number of food stalls were also put up. 

Speaking on the occasion, N. Yogish Bhat, the deputy speaker of the state legislative assembly, said that a Kambla will be held during the National Youth Convention too, which is scheduled to be held in January. There are also plans to hold a Kambla during the Rashtriya Makkala Mela since it is one of the best way to introduce the tradition and culture of Tulunadu to people from other states.

District-in-charge Minister Krishna J. Palemar said that the government releases Rs 1 lakh just to organize the Kambla and keep traditional sport alive.

Ramlal Guvayenkere and Vamanjooru Thiruvailu Guttu Ramchandra Alva won the first prize in the Kane Halage category while Narayanappa Salian of Puttur and Guruvappa Poojary won the second prize.

Chandrashekar Karinja and Merla Girish Alva won the first prize in the Hagga Hiriya category while Dinesh Kotian and Palimaru Ganesh Narayana Devadiga won the second prize.

Mohammed Kannadikatte and Boladha Guttu Sathish Shetty won the first prize in the Hagga Kiriya category while Ashraf and Konaje Mohammed Hanif won the second prize.