Mangaluru: Coastal Karnataka’s traditional buffalo race, Kambala, will be held in Mysuru on October 18 and 19 as part of the Dasara festivities, with preparations underway at a 20-acre venue, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had expressed interest in including Kambala in the Dasara celebrations and directed officials to make arrangements for the event. Work is currently in progress at the venue, including construction of a 147-metre-long Kambala kare (track) and other supporting infrastructure.
15,000 spectators to be accommodated
According to Ashok Kumar Rai, around 15,000 spectators will be accommodated at the venue at a time.
Three stages are being constructed at the site. These include a main stage for official programmes and two stages designated for VVIP arrangements.
Entry to the event will be free for visitors with passes. A separate area with a capacity of around 5,000 spectators will also be made available for people without passes.
To enable more visitors to witness the Kambala, timed passes will be issued in three slots each day. The slots will cover morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening and evening to night.
The arrangements are being planned to regulate the movement of spectators and accommodate visitors throughout the two-day event.
150 to 160 buffalo pairs expected
Around 150 to 160 selected buffalo pairs are expected to participate in the Kambala.
Rai said a committee would shortlist the participating pairs based on their previous performances and other criteria. A registration form prepared by the district administration will be used as part of the selection process.
The event will bring participating buffalo owners and Kambala teams from coastal Karnataka to Mysuru as part of the Dasara celebrations.
The buffaloes are scheduled to leave Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple on October 16 at 10.30 am. They will halt at Madikeri for rest, food and other arrangements before proceeding to Mysuru.
The participating buffaloes are expected to reach Mysuru the same night. October 17 will be kept as a rest day ahead of the two-day competition.
Kambala to begin on October 18
The Kambala will begin on the morning of October 18 with an inauguration ceremony. The Chief Minister is expected to attend the inaugural programme.
The sporting events will continue through the day and into the evening. The competitions will continue on October 19, when the prize distribution ceremony is scheduled to be held.
The event is being organised as part of the wider Dasara festivities in Mysuru and is expected to provide a platform to showcase the traditional sport of coastal Karnataka to visitors from across the state and beyond.
Remuneration and prize structure
The government has fixed remuneration of Rs 65,000 for a senior-category buffalo pair and Rs 50,000 for a junior-category pair.
However, buffalo owners and Kambala committee leaders have sought an increase in the remuneration. They have also requested additional prizes and higher gold awards for the winners.
Rai said the demands would be discussed with the Deputy Commissioner and the Dasara committee before a decision is taken.
At present, winners in the senior category receive 16 grams of gold for the first prize and 8 grams for the second prize. The participating teams have sought gold awards for the third and fourth positions as well.
Similar demands have been raised for the junior category.
The final prize structure and remuneration will be decided after discussions with the concerned authorities and the Dasara committee.
Trial run planned on October 10
A trial run will be conducted on the Mysuru Kambala track on October 10, Rai said.
Around five buffalo pairs are expected to participate in the trial. The exercise will be used to test the newly prepared track and identify any requirements before the main event.
The trial is expected to help organisers assess the track conditions and make necessary arrangements ahead of the October 18 inauguration.
Coastal cuisine and buffalo display planned
The organisers are also planning to showcase the food culture of Coastal Karnataka during the Dasara celebrations.
According to Rai, food stalls showcasing coastal cuisine will be spread across an area of around four to five acres.
Another five-acre area will be designated for housing the participating buffaloes. Visitors will be able to see the animals in the designated area and take photographs.
The arrangements are intended to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience aspects of coastal Karnataka’s culture alongside the Kambala competition.
Water arrangements for the buffaloes are also being planned. Rai said some buffalo owners had offered to bring water from their respective places. Alternatively, Cauvery river water will be supplied to the venue.
Organisers expect large turnout
The organisers are expecting a large number of visitors during the Kambala event. Rai said estimates suggest that up to 25 lakh people could visit Mysuru to witness Kambala as part of the Dasara celebrations.
The large expected turnout has led organisers to focus on crowd management, timed entry, accommodation of spectators and other logistical arrangements.
State Kambala Association member Aikalabava Deviprasad Shetty said a meeting of Kambala buffalo owners had already been held.
He said the event would be organised in a systematic and disciplined manner in Mysuru.
With the track construction and other arrangements underway, the October 18-19 Kambala is set to bring one of Coastal Karnataka’s traditional sporting events to the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru.