Mangaluru: It’s that time of the year, when the slushy paddy fields of the district, turn into a racing turf. Coastal Karnataka’s traditional buffalo race, in these slushy fields, which is popularly known as ‘Kambala’, has till now, provided a high octane experience for spectators, as the men of the district, and their beasts raced against time and each other, battling for victory.
Over the past four decades, the ‘Kambala’ has gone on to become a leading folk sport in this part of the state and has drawn enthusiastic spectators even from abroad. However, this traditional sport is likely to see its end. Already, the Udupi district administration has said that the Kambala will not take place within its limits, after a circular was issued to them by the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Udupi District to ban Kambala stating that it violated the provisions of the PCA Act.
Meanwhile, A.B Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada said that, he is yet to receive such an order. If received, we cannot go against the law of the land, he said. Incidentally, the administration will host this year’s annual “kambala” at Pilikula on December 29, which will coincide with the 12-day Karavali Utsava that will begin from December 20th.
Earlier, the Indian animal welfare board had approached the Supreme Court demanding a ban on Kambala, claiming the traditional sport was cruel to animals. Subsequently, the Supreme Court had passed an order on May 7, 2014. But the implementation has started only now as the season has just begun.
The move has been widely welcomed by animal rights activists, as they feel it will put an end to inhuman treatment of animals. Tausif Ahmed, volunteer, Animal Care Trust, Mangaluru said, “Although it’s a 300 year old traditional sport, people should realize that there was no means of entertainment then. But, still continuing to treat animals cruelly in the name of tradition and entertainment is certainly wrong. The riders keep hitting, to win the race. These animals are not instinctively fast runners like horse. They run because of the torture and fear created at that moment”, he said.
He also said, “Lots of people talk about cow slaughter, if the people feel the pain there, they should feel it here too… similarly, cock fight should also be banned, where knives are tied on its leg to kill each other”, he added.
In contrast, the Kambala lovers and the organizers say that buffalos are purchased paying lakhs of rupees, and they are well maintained and taken care by the owner for a whole year. It is a traditional game it should be looked at in that same way.
However, in a bid to make the races more humane, the organizers have unanimously decided to cut down on the cane. Till now, it was a common sight to see the group of men accompanying a pair of buffaloes wielding canes and liberally using them to spur the beasts into winning the race.
(Photos by: Dr. Krishna Mohan. He is a professional wildlife photographer based in Moodbidri. His interests include trekking, mountaineering, wildlife conservation, photography, classical music, computers and Internet.)
