Mangaluru: The fourth edition of the Lava Kusha Jodukare Naringana Kambalotsava, one of the prominent traditional buffalo races in coastal Karnataka, will be held on January 10 at the Morla Bola ground in Naringana village. The event is being organised under the aegis of the Naringana Kambala Samithi, led by Legislative Assembly Speaker and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader, and is expected to draw large participation from across the region.
The annual Kambala, a centuries-old rural sport deeply rooted in agrarian culture, continues to serve as a platform for cultural expression and community bonding. Organisers said elaborate preparations have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the races, with arrangements in place for participants, buffalo owners, jockeys and spectators.
Dignitaries to attend evening programme
Several senior leaders of the State government will participate in the evening stage programme. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, and Labour Minister Santhosh Lad are scheduled to attend the function and interact with participants and members of the public.
Addressing the media ahead of the event, Speaker U T Khader said Kambala is not merely a sporting competition but a cultural celebration that reflects unity and inclusiveness. “Kambala is a traditional sport that brings people from all communities together and promotes communal harmony,” he said, adding that such events play a crucial role in preserving local traditions while fostering social cohesion.
Participation figures and competition categories
According to the organising committee, around 210 to 215 pairs of buffaloes are expected to participate in this year’s Kambala. This is slightly lower than last year’s record participation of 265 pairs. Kambala Samithi working president Prashanth Kajava Mithakodi said the reduction is due to the discontinuation of the sub-junior category.
“As per the decision of the State Kambala Samithi and government guidelines, sub-junior events will no longer be conducted. This has resulted in a marginal drop in the number of participating buffalo pairs,” he explained.
This year’s competitions will be held in Kane Halage, Adda Halage, Hagga (senior and junior), and Negilu (senior and junior) categories. The races will be conducted in accordance with established rules and guidelines, with organisers emphasising safety, fairness and animal welfare.
Inauguration and ceremonial events
The Kambala races will be formally inaugurated by Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor Sri Gurudevadatta Samsthanam. The ceremonial lamp will be lit by Dr M Mohan Alva, president of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri. Naringana Gram Panchayat president Nawaz Naringana will preside over the inaugural function.
The presence of religious leaders, educationists and elected representatives is expected to add significance to the event, reinforcing its cultural and social importance.
Prize structure and honours for participants
The organisers have announced an attractive prize structure to recognise excellence and encourage participation. Winners of the Hagga senior category will receive two pavan gold along with a trophy, while the Negilu senior category winner will be awarded one-and-a-half pavan gold.
First prize winners in other categories will receive one pavan gold each. In addition, third and fourth prizes will also be awarded, with recipients receiving quarter pavan gold and trophies. All winning Kambala jockeys will be presented with certificates and cash awards.
A special feature of this year’s event is the honouring of all participating buffalo owners. Each owner will be felicitated with a silver medal and a trophy in recognition of their contribution to sustaining the traditional sport.
Spectator facilities and future initiatives
To accommodate the expected crowd, spectator galleries have been set up on both sides of the 125-metre-long Kambala track, ensuring an unobstructed view of the races. Organisers said adequate arrangements have been made for crowd management, safety, and basic amenities.
Prashanth also said there are plans to prepare Kambala buffaloes in the name of Speaker U T Khader for the next Kambala season. “The proposal is under consideration, and further steps will be taken once approval is received,” he added.
Naringana Gramotsava on January 12
In addition to the Kambala, a special Naringana Gramotsava will be organised on January 12 under the auspices of the Naringana Gram Panchayat. The programme will include a Sneha Sammelana, talent awards, cultural performances by renowned district artistes, and a series of sports competitions for men and women.
Events such as tug of war, passing the ball, throwing the ball into a bucket, banana-eating contest, treasure hunt in the Kambala kare, musical chairs, 100-metre and 200-metre races, lemon-and-spoon race, and other activities will be conducted separately for men and women. Organisers said the celebrations aim to strengthen community ties and showcase local talent.