9th Edition ’Mangaluru Kambala’ on December 27
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Dec 24, 2025: The 9th edition of the floodlit Mangaluru Kambala will be held on December 27 at the Rama–Lakshmana twin track at Gold Finch City, Mangaluru Kambala Committee President and Member of Parliament Brijesh Chowta said.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Chowta said nine special programmes have been planned as part of the ninth-year celebrations. Emphasising the need to preserve and promote Kambala in the city, he said the event aims to introduce Tulu culture to people from across the country and abroad who reside in Mangaluru, while also familiarising the younger generation with the rich cultural heritage of Tulu Nadu.
He said cleanliness would be given special priority during the event. The programmes include a historical painting exhibition on Rani Abbakka, the valiant queen of Tulu Nadu who fought against the British; a mass rendition of “Vande Mataram” by 150 girl students to mark the 150th anniversary of the patriotic song; distribution of saplings under the Prime Minister’s eco-friendly initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” to encourage planting a tree in one’s mother’s name; felicitation of nine entrepreneurs who have returned from abroad and successfully launched enterprises under the “Back to Ooru” concept; and bringing residents of old age homes to witness Kambala.
In addition, four competitions — ’Colour Koota’ (painting), Mangaluru Kambala Reels, Mangaluru Kambala Photography, and an AI Creative Yodha competition — will also be held. Chowta said the overall objective is to establish Mangaluru Kambala as a cultural festival of Tulu Nadu.
The Kambala will be inaugurated at 8.30 am by Chittaranjan, President of the Garodi Brahma Baiderkal Kshetra. The formal programme will be held at 6 pm under the chairmanship of Kambala Committee Honorary President Prakash Shetty, while the prize distribution ceremony will take place on Sunday morning.
Competitions will be conducted in the Negilu Junior, Negilu Senior, Hagga Junior, Hagga Senior, Adda Halage and Kane Halage categories. Around 160 to 170 pairs of buffaloes are expected to participate.
Kambala Committee Convener Santyaguttu Sachin Shetty, General Secretary Sujit Pratap Mangalpadi, and committee members Sanjay Prabhu, Prasad Kumar Shetty, Vijayakumar Kenginmane, Joylus D’Souza, Kiran Kumar Kodikal, Vasanth J Poojary, Avinash Suvarna, Battira Ajith Bhopaiah, Abhishek Rai Kulalu, Guruchandra Hegde, Ishwar Prasad and others were present at the press conference.
