Kambala – Sports of Coastal Karnataka
Coastal Karnataka…the name itself imparts the vision of the swaying coconut palms, you can almost
hear the breeze cutting through its shivering leaves, vibrate with the loud waves crashing on the sand
and taste the salt in the air. It’s a land where sun rises against the horizon to call in a new day and sun
sets reflecting happiness and telling us that even the endings can be beautiful.
Photography is my passion and nothing less than photographing wildlife in their natural habitat
makes me happy. Therefore, my calendar is mostly packed with trips across the country where in I
select the national parks and sanctuaries according to the season that would provide me the best
wildlife sightings. Seasons often play a spoilsport. Over the last few months, I have also
experimented my photography skills and tested my limitations on various other parameters like
historical monuments, religious places and off course the so very fluid waterfalls of Meghalaya.
I had been planning for a new location since last year and after making the necessary logistics
arrangements, I found myself at the Mumbai airport waiting for a flight that would land me at coastal
Karnataka. I was soon at Tulu Nadu, which formed from the districts of Dakshina Kannada & Udupi,
host to the annual festival of KAMBALA. Udupi is my hometown and it was easy to gather friends
to give me company. They were of great help to arrange for me the front position so that I could
shoot head on. This five month long festival (November to March) celebrates the beginning of
harvest season in the regions of coastal Karnataka. This festival involves the traditional buffalo race,
a very popular & unique sports popular among the local farming communities.
This particular buffalo race or Kambala as it is known locally and among the legal professionals in
the Supreme Court, is unique to Udupi & Mangalore districts. The animal rights activists were
against the races and Supreme Court had banned the race. But last winter they relaxed few norms
and the sports was on again for the winter of 2017- 2018.
History says the buffalo races originated as a sport for the royal family’s amusement or pleasure &
was a form of showing gratitude to the Gods for a good harvest. In those days, the winner of the
buffalo race was rewarded with a coconut but now as the indigenous game has gained popularity;
become more organized & professional, medals & certificates bring in the name & fame to the
winner.
Traditionally, there were two types of Kambalas, Pookere Kambala and Bale Kambala. Pookere
Kambala is what we now witness. Locals place massive bets on the participating buffaloes and often
acrowd more than 30,000 can be seen to witness a well-organized race. More than 45 races are
generally held annually across the coastal Karnataka. Kambala Samity organizes around 18 races and
the rest are held under the auspices of temples, political patronage and aristocratic Bunt households.
crowd is a proof that Kambala still remains a hugely popular sport in Coastal Karnataka.
Generally held on a Saturday, Kambala race starts around 9am in the morning and continues till the
next day or till all participating buffaloes have tested their stamina and talent. I was able to reach the
venue only in the evening and was there for about an hour only. The golden dusk light is the best
time in my opinion for shooting Kambala. Later most of the light will be from the overhead halogen
lamps which light up the whole Kambala venue and will be a deterrent to the natural look of the
photograph.
The race is held on two muddy/slushy tracks, placed parallel to each other. These tracks are about
120 to 160mts in length & 8 to 12mts in width, depending on the space available. The racing
buffaloes are trained throughout the year for the event. 130 to 140 pairs of buffaloes participate in the
race & thousands of enthusiastic onlookers and supporters cheer from the sides of the track. The
atmosphere becomes heavy & tensed with anticipation and excitement during the races. All the
excitement is seen to be at its peak near the finishing line. The rider just lets the buffaloes loose as
they reach dry ground which is covered in river sand and that is when they may run at the crowd.
There are people who control and stop these buffaloes. And the air vibrates with the loud cries and
cheers of the crowd who goes crazy seeing the buffaloes wet with slush and mud.
I was happy to witness the event and got some fabulous shots. I am happy with the moments I could
capture. The best from the trip is here for you to enjoy. The golden race under the golden sun…
Kambala…still reigns the heart of the coastal Karnataka.
