Spectacular show at Jaya-Vijaya Jodukare Kambala

Spectacular show at Jaya-Vijaya Jodukare Kambala

Mangalore Today News Network

Photos by Venugopal Hosabettu

Mangalore, Mar 20: Jaya-Vijaya Jodukare Kambala organized in memory of the Late J. Jayagangadhara Shetty at Jeppina Mogaru in the outskirts of the city attracted thousands of visitors to come and witness the spectacular water buffalo race.

The Kambala which continued overnight with floodlights on 19th and 20th March on the banks of Netravati river was inaugurated on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. by Derebail Vittaldas Tantri.

The floodlight event proved to be spell binding show of the racing prowess of the buffalo which splash across the slushy race track chased by their handler. 

Around 150 buffalo pairs from Kasargod, Udupi, and DK participated in the event. A prize comprising 8gms of gold will be given to the winner of each category and the runner up will receive 4gms of gold.

Kambala – The water buffalo race

The Kambala is the age old folk sport of water buffalo racing and is an intrinsic part of the Tulunadu culture. It has been in practice in Dakshina Kannada for hundreds of years. In the traditional agricultural economy, buffalos were extensively used for ploughing of the paddy fields. Hence buffalo racing evolved as a popular rural sport. The buffaloes used for the Kambala are specially reared and trained for the purpose. Hosting or participating in a Kambala was a symbol of prestige in the bygone feudal social system.

Kambala is believed to have originated as a way for farmers to pay tribute to the gods for protecting their crops. There used to be lot of celebration and games as part of this festive atmosphere. Some say Kambala also marked the beginning of sowing operations for the second round of crops.

Ideally Kambala is held from December till April. In some cases this schedule might also get extended till early June before the cultivation of the first crop. They are organised under the auspices of temples, Kambala committees or social patronage by aristocratic land lord households.

The ’track’ used for Kambala is an unused paddy field filled with slush. The length of the race is usually about 100 meters. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each controlled by a strong muscled farmer. In olden days, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains.

Traditionally, there were two types of Kambalas, Pookere Kambala and Bale Kambala. Bale Kambala is no more in practice. Kambala is today an organised, professional sport. More than 45 races are held annually in Coastal Karnataka, with thousands of cheering spectators thus giving a boost for this tradition to continue.