Kambala - Cultures of Karnataka !!

Karnataka has been one of the distinctive states in India which offers different cultural aspects of people and places. Along with this it provides age old custom of arts, sports, religious fervours which are part of this region till date. I have noted few things in my blog 50 things to do in Karnataka, as I mentioned in the blog these are just few things I have come across, but Karnataka offers much more then this. Kambala is one of the few ancient sport in India which is actively carried in present times basically being a village sport. I followed this sport and visited two Kambala events in last two years. 

Few extracts from wikipedia - "Kambala (ಕಂಬಳ) is an annual Buffalo Race held traditionally under the auspices local land lords and households (Aramane,Beedu,Guthu/Mane, Dodmane) or Patel of village, in coastal Karnataka,India. Kambala is traditionally a simple sport which provides much needed entertainment to the rural people.The 'track' used for Kambala is a paddy field filled with slush and mud. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes, each pair raced in wet rice fields, controlled by a whip-lashing farmer.In olden days, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains and nowadays, gold coins, silver coins are given; in some competitions, cash award is also in vogue. Some organising committes award eight gram gold coin as first prize.However, Kambala today has become an organised rural sport, with elobarate planning and timetable for Kambala at different places. The "Kambala Committee" is formed and it usually arranges Kambala in several categories like Kane Halage, Hagga Hiriya, Hagga Kiriya, Halage, Adda Halage etc. People place massive bets on the buffaloes to win and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organised Kambala, egging on and cheering the buffaloes to complete the race."

My first visit was to Puttur Kambala. After landing a day early with actual race starting next day, I gave a visit few places around Puttur. Next day I was at the venue early and saw the track up close. Few buffalo owner had already arrived with their crew. I visited one of the tents put up by a participant. Soon I began a chat with him to understand the sport better. He explained me about the game being played in  different categories based on the age groups of the buffalo and different form of game itself. Length of the track is little more then 100 meters and in their terms its called 'kolu' and full track is 100 kolu which is around 110 meters, marked each at 25 kolu. Buffaloes are well fed and trained throughout the year and made ready for these event which starts in early November and extends little March following year. A pair of buffaloes usually run around 5-6 race in a calender year. During the race days, they are decorated and made to look at their best for the event. Around 20 events are held in different regions of Dakshin Kannada region and parts of Kerala too. Among these few widely popular include Kadri, Puttur, Mulki Kambala.

As the day progressed more number of participants came with their buffaloes and pitched their tents around the main track. Event kick started and I witnessed the rage and fervour towards the game. Buffaloes are not the easily controllable animals, it would take 15 mins to 20 mins just to get the buffaloes to the starting line, with lots of whip lashing on its body. Once the flag off, buffaloes and person holding them, run at such a speed, they reach finish line at a blink of eye. On an average, it takes around 13-14 secs to finish a race, that is real quick. Both men and buffaloes are trained hard for these event. Winning the race is matter of pride for the owners, they hire the best men and buy the best buffaloes for the race and practise all around the year. For some its a time they can make some money by betting. Race is played throughout the night and extends till the next day, with closing ceremony at the end of the day. I left the same night with a thought to witness the night race next time. During March this year, I visited Uppinangady Kambala during night and it was wonderful with races happening under light, the whole pictures presented is beautiful but at the cost of your sleep. People are very much into the race throughout night too.

Recently there has been outrage over the use of buffaloes in such races because they get the severe beating and get injured during the race. But to my opinion, these traditional kambala races represent our culture and should be understood clearly. Not only these buffaloes are cared and nurtured, they are treated with utmost love by the owner. I have seen even the minor injuries are handled carefully, sometimes owner call off the race due to this.

I strongly recommend to visit this magnificent event and enjoy the beauty of this sport which is connected to the roots of Karnataka's culture.

Keep travelling and exploring.. !