The Kambala, Kambla or Kambula is an annual buffalo race held in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka. It is similar to maramadi from Kerala Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Bhatkal of Karnataka and Kasaragod of Kerala, a region collectively known as Tulu Nadu.
The Kambala season generally starts in November and lasts until March. The Kambalas are organized through Kambala samithis (Kambala Associations), of which there are currently 18. Over 45 races are held annually in coastal Karnataka, including smaller remote villages such as Vandaru, Thonnase and Gulvadi.
Kambala is derived from 'kampa-kala', where the word 'Kampa' is related slushy, muddy field. The Dravidian origin of the word Kampa is kan+pa and 'kala' means field, where it is conducted. Another interpretation of modern Kambala is derived from 'Kamba', a pole used for water spurt during race by buffalo pairs. [1]
Kambala is a sport. [2] The Kambala racetrack is a slushy paddy field, [3] and the buffaloes are driven by a whip-lashing farmer. [4]
Traditional Kambala was non-competitive, and the pair was run one by one. In modern Kambala, the contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffaloes. In villages such as Vandar(vandaru) in Udupi and Chordi(choradi) in Shivamogga, there is also a ritualistic aspect, as farmers race their buffaloes to give thanks to the deities for protecting them from diseases.
Historically, the winning pair of buffaloes was rewarded with coconuts and bananas. Today, winning owners earn gold and silver coins. [5] Some organising committees award an eight-gram gold coin to the winner. [6] In some competitions, cash prizes are awarded.
The buffaloes are decorated with coloured jhūls and head-pieces made of brass and silver (sometimes bearing the emblems of the sun and moon), and ropes which make a sort of bridle. The special towel used to cover the buffalo's back is called the paavade (Tulu:ಪಾವಡೆ).
The kambla influenced by Natha pantha, [7] in earlier days, the Kambla starts previous day evening with tradition dance of Koraga communities mostly by men. They performing full night with following all Panchamakara madya (Alcohol), māṃsa (Meat), matsya (Fish), mudrā (Gesture), maithuna (Sexual). The Koragas were sit up through the night before the Kambla day, performing a ceremony called panikkuluni, the meaning of word sitting under the dew. They sing songs to the accompaniment of their special kind of band dudi, about their special spirit daiva Nīcha, and offer toddy and a rice-pudding boiled in a large earthen pot, which is broken so that the pudding remains as a solid mass. This pudding is called kandēl addyē, or pot pudding. [8]
Kambala has become an organised rural sport, with elaborate planning and scheduling to accommodate competitions at different places. [9] A "Kambala Committee" arranges races in several categories describing the outfitting of the buffaloes. Typical categories are:
Kambala draws large rural crowds, as it has done for the last three hundred years. [12] People bet on the buffaloes, and one can witness more than 20,000 spectators in a well-organised Kambala, egging on and cheering the buffaloes to complete the race.
In some places, night races are arranged under floodlights. [6]
The buffaloes developed for the race are carefully fed and some owners have even built separate swimming pools for competing buffaloes. [13]
Thonnase Kambala used to be held in the month of December every year at Thonnase, Hebri taluk, Udupi district and it is called Dēvara Sampradayika Kambala as it is associated with Sri Dhoomavathi, Sri Gopalakrishna and Swami Parivara in the village.
Kadri Kambala used to be held at Kadri, Mangalore and it is called Dēvere Kambla (God's Kambala) as it is associated with Sri Manjunatha Temple in that city. [9] This event was patronised by the Alupa kings of Mangalore, 300 years ago. For this reason, Kadri Kambala is also known as Arasu Kambala (King's Kambala). [9]
Many have criticised Kambala as cruel to the racing buffaloes, which are driven by whips. [14] Noted animal-rights activist Maneka Gandhi expressed concerns about the ill treatment of buffaloes during the race. While Kambala organizers contend that whips are necessary to elicit maximum speed, government officials advise the riders to be gentle on buffaloes and avoid using whips during the race. [14]
In 2014, based on lawsuits filed by animal welfare organizations, the Supreme Court of India ordered a ban on Kambala. The ban also covered Jallikattu, a sport of hands-on bull taming. A government order lifted the ban on Jallikattu in January 2017, [15] and the public asked for the ban on Kambala to be lifted, too. [16]
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 [17] re-legalized the Kambala festival in Karnataka. [18] Then-President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, promulgated the new law on 3 July 2017. Litigation continued but was resolved by the passage of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2018, which then-President Ram Nath Kovind approved on 19 February 2018. [19]
However, after the relegalization, it was found that the buffaloes were still being whipped during the race. [20]
Town/Village | Taluk | Date of Kambala | Appx. pairs | Image | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kadri | Mangalore | December | ![]() | Competitive race / Much famed | |
Vandaru | Kundapura | December | 300 | ![]() | Non competitive race |
Thonnase | Hebri | December | 100 | Non competitive race | |
Pilikula [5] | Mangalore | December/January | 150 [21] | ![]() | Competitive race |
Choradi | Kundapura | December | 150 | Non competitive rural sport | |
Gulvadi | Kundapura | December | 200 | Non competitive rural sport | |
Baradi beedu | Karkala | December | Competitive race | ||
Venur Permuda | Belthangadi | December | |||
Moodabidri | Mangalore | December | Competitive race | ||
Miyar | Karkala | January | Lava Kusa Jodukere Kambala. | ||
Katapadi beedu | Udupi | January | Competitive race | ||
Aikala Bava | Mangalore | February | Competitive race | ||
Adve, Nandikur | Udupi | January | Competitive race | ||
Pajir | Bantwala | February | |||
Yeedu | Karkala | February | |||
Puttur | Puttur | March | |||
Jappina Mogaru [6] | Mangalore | March [6] | 150 [6] | ||
Uppinangadi | Puttur | March | |||
Bangadi Kolli | Belthangadi | March | |||
Thalapady Panjala | Mangalore | March/April | |||
Althar | Udupi | March/April | |||
Parika Aramane | Udupi | November/December | |||
Hokkadi goli | Bantwala | December | |||
Handadi | Udupi | December | |||
Vaddambettu [22] | Udupi | December [22] | |||
Ajri [23] | Udupi | December | |||
Mulki seeme | Mangalore | December | Competitive race |
This is the calendar for Kambala 2023-24.
Name | Date | Location |
---|---|---|
Kakyapadavu Kambala | 18 November 2023 | Kakyapadavu, Bantwala, Mangalore |
Bengaluru Kambala | 25 November 2023 | Palace Grounds, Bengaluru |
Moodubidire Kambala | 2 December 2023 | Moodubidire, Mangalore |
Baaradi Kambala | 9 December 2023 | Baaradi beedu, Karkala, Udupi |
Naringana Kambala | 17 December 2023 | Naringana, Bantwala(Near Deralakatte) |
Mulki Arasu Kambala | 24 December 2023 | Mulki Arasu, Mangalore |
Mangalore Kambala | 30 December 2023 | Mangalore Bangrakooluru |
Miyaru Kambala | 6 January 2024 | Miyaru, Karkala, Udupi |
Ballamanja Kambala | 7 January 2024 | Ballamanja |
Hokkadigoli Kambala | 13 January 2024 | Hokkadigoli, near Venoor, Mangalore |
Adve Kambala | 20 January 2024 | Adve Nandikooru, Padubidri, Udupi |
Putturu Kambala | 27 January 2024 | Putturu, Mangalore |
Aikala Kambala | 3 February 2024 | Aikala, Kinnigoli, Mangalore |
Jeppu Kambala | 10 February 2024 | Jeppu(Jeppina Mogaru), Mangalore |
Vamanjoor Kambala | 17 February 2024 | Vamanjoor, Mangalore |
Katapadi Kambala | 24 February 2024 | Katapadi, Udupi |
Bantwala Kambala | 2 March 2024 | Bantwala, Mangalore |
Bangadi Kambala | 9 March 2024 | Bangadi, Belthangady, Mangalore |
Venur Kambala | 16 March 2024 | Venur, Karkala, Udupi |
Uppinangadi Kambala | 23 March 2024 | Uppinangadi, Mangalore |
Panapila Kambala | 30 March 2024 | Panapila, Mangalore |
Balkunje Kambala | 6 April 2024 | Balkunje, Mangalore |
Gurupura Kambala | 13 April 2024 | Gurupura, Mangalore |
Calendar for Kambala 2024-25.
Tulu is a Dravidian language whose speakers are concentrated in Dakshina Kannada and in the southern part of Udupi of Karnataka in south-western India and also in the northern parts of the Kasaragod district of Kerala. The native speakers of Tulu are referred to as Tuluva or Tulu people and the geographical area is unofficially called Tulu Nadu.
Mangalore, officially known as Mangaluru, is a major industrial port city in the Indian state of Karnataka and on the west coast of India. It is located between the Laccadive Sea and the Western Ghats about 352 km (219 mi) west of Bangalore, the state capital, 14 km north of Karnataka–Kerala border and 297 km south of Goa. Mangalore is the state's only city to have all four modes of transport—air, road, rail and sea. The population of the urban agglomeration was 619,664 according to the 2011 national census of India. It is known for being one of the locations of the Indian strategic petroleum reserves.
Dakshina Kannada district is located in the state of Karnataka in India, with its headquarters in the coastal city of Mangalore. It is part of the larger Tulu Nadu region. The district covers an area nestled in between the Western Ghats to its east and the Arabian Sea to its west. Dakshina Kannada receives abundant rainfall during the Indian monsoon. It is bordered by Udupi district to the north, Chikmagalur district to the northeast, Hassan district to the east, Kodagu to the southeast and Kasaragod district of Kerala to the south. According to the 2011 census of India, Dakshina Kannada district had a population of 2,083,625. It is the only district in Karnataka state to have all modes of transport like road, rail, water and air due to the presence of a major hub, Mangalore. This financial district is also known as the Cradle of Indian banking.
Tulu Nadu, or Tulunad, is a region and proposed state on the southwestern coast of India. The Tulu people, known as 'Tuluva', speakers of Tulu, a Dravidian language, are the preponderant ethnic group of this region. The proposed region, which once existed as the district South Canara, encompasses the undivided territory of the contemporary Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala.
Belle is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Kaup taluk of Udupi district. The village is known for its historic Moodu-Belle Mahalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva.
The Tulu people or Tuluvas are an ethno-linguistic and ethno-cultural group from Southern India. They are native speakers of the Tulu language and the region they traditionally inhabit is known as Tulu Nadu. This region comprises the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka and part of Kasaragod district in Kerala, with Mangalore, Karnataka being the commercial hub. The Census report of 2011 reported a population of 1,846,427 native Tulu speakers living in India.
Udupi district is an administrative subdivision in the Karnataka state of India, with the district headquarters in the city of Udupi. It is situated in the Canara old north Malabar coastal region. There are seven taluks, 233 villages and 21 towns in Udupi district. The three northern tehsils of Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala, were partitioned from Dakshina Kannada district to form Udupi district on 25 August 1997. Moodabidri was officially declared as new tehsil (taluk), separated from Karkala with effect from 11 January 2018.
Kadri Park is a park located in Kadri Gudde. It is the largest park in Mangalore. This park contains a musical fountain and has hosted the Karavali Utsav. The park is famous for flower shows in Mangalore.
Moodbidri is a town and taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. It lies 34 km northeast of the district headquarters, Mangalore, in Karnataka, India.
Paduru Gururaja Bhat was a teacher, historian and archaeologist of Tulu Nadu and of Barkur, the ancient capital of the Tulu kingdom.
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Karnataka with International cricket matches attracting a sizeable number of spectators who are willing to pay more than the standard ticket price to get a chance to watch the match. The sports related infrastructure is mainly concentrated in Bangalore which also played host to the 4th National Games of India in the year 1997. Bangalore is also the location of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) which is the premier sports institute in the country. Karnataka is sometimes referred to as the cradle of Indian swimming because of high standards in swimming compared to other states.
Ramchandra P. N. is a filmmaker making feature films, short films, documentaries and TV programs. in India. He is a Tuluva based in Mumbai.
Mangalore district that was partitioned from the erstwhile South Canara, has been multicultural and is a little different from the prevalent culture of the Carnataca state of India. A native of Mangalore is known as a Mangalorean in English, Kudladakulu in Tulu, Kodyaalkar in Konknni, Manglurnavaru in Kannada& Maikaaltanga in Byari.
Mahathobhara Yelluru Shree Vishweshwara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishweshwara (Shiva) in the Yellur village of Udupi district in the state of Karnataka, India. Vishweshwara is referred to at least in 12 rock edicts and recorded by the Kaifiyaths.
Tulu Nadu State movement is aimed at increasing Tulu Nadu's influence and political power through the formation of separate Tulu Nadu state from Karnataka and Kerala. Tulu Nadu is a region on the south-western coast of India. It consists of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and Kasargod district up to the Chandragiri river in Kerala. The Chandragiri River has traditionally been considered a boundary between Tulu Nadu and Kerala from the fourth century AD onwards. The first call for a separate Tulu Nadu state was made just after the Quit India Movement in 1942 by Srinivas Updhyaya Paniyadi, a banker and a press owner from Udupi. Mangalore is the largest and the chief city of Tulu Nadu. Tulu activists have been demanding a separate Tulu Nadu state since the late 2000s, considering language and culture as the basis for their demand.
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The Koraga are a tribal community or indigenous community found mainly in the Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts of Karnataka and the Kasaragod district of Kerala, south India. These areas in Karnataka, are altogether often referred to as Tulunaad, which roughly corresponds to the boundaries of the erstwhile South Canara district. They are also found in small numbers in adjoining districts of Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and Kodagu. The Koraga are classified by the Government of India as a particularly vulnerable tribal group.
The city of Mangalore is proclaimed as the gateway to Karnataka and lies nestled between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and the green, towering hills of the Western Ghats. The 184 square km city is spread out over the backwaters of the two rivers, Netravati and Gurpura.
The pacu jawi is a traditional bull race in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Indonesia. In the race, a jockey stands on a wooden plough loosely tied to a pair of bulls and holds them by their tails while the bulls cover about 60–250 metres (200–820 ft) of muddy track in a rice field. Although the name means a "bull race", the bulls do not directly compete against each other, and no formal winner is declared. Instead, spectators judge the bulls by their performance, and have the ability to buy well-performing bulls, albeit at well above usual price. The people of Tanah Datar—especially the nagaris (villages) in four of its districts—have been conducting this tradition for centuries to celebrate the end of the rice harvest. The race is held concurrently with a village festival of culture called alek pacu jawi. Recently it has become a tourist attraction supported by the government and the subject of multiple award-winning photographs.
Kavoor is a suburban area and the name of a ward in the city of Mangalore in the Mysore division of the Indian state of Karnataka. Kannada and Tulu are the two most commonly spoken languages in Kavoor. This place got the name as "Kavoor" because of the Saint "Kuvera Maharshi" who had visited this place. It connects major cities like Surathkal, Kankanady, Kinnigoli, and Bajpe.
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