Udupi: The historic Thonse Padumane Kambalotsava of Kemmannu was held on Sunday, 6th December, 2015 with large number of fans of Kambala. Thonse Padumene Kambala has a history of over a hundred years. It is said that 100 to 200 pairs of buffalos took part in Kambala in the early 19th century. But now a days, due to various reasons, the number of pairs of Buffalos decreased very much.

Here this year historic Thonse Padumane Kambalotsava began with the inauguration by the Janardhan Thonse, President of Udupi Urban Development Authority. Raghuram Hegde of Thonse Padumane, Smt. Fauziya Sadiq, President of Thonse Grama Panchayat and others were present. Traditional drum beating by Koragas and brass band, large number of people witnessed the inaugural programme.

Kambala is traditionally a simple sport which provides much needed entertainment to the rural people. The track used for Kambala is a a paddy field filled with slush and mud. The contest generally takes place between two pairs of buffalos, each pair raced in wet rice fields, controlled by a whip lashing farmer.

In olden days, the winning pair of buffalos has been rewarded with coconuts and a bunch of plantains and now a days gold, silver coins are given. In some competitions cash award is vogue.

In traditional form of Kambala, racing is non-competitive and he-buffalos pairs run by one in paddy fields. A ritualistic approach is also there as some agriculturists race their he-buffaloes for thanksgiving to God for protecting their animals from diseases.

Kambala has been criticized by animal lovers as they perpetuate cruelty due to the use of whips on the racing buffaloes. Animal rights activists expressed serious concerns about the ill treatment of buffaloes during the Kambala race. Kambala organizers on their part, contend that if whips are not used on the buffaloes, they may not run with speed in the race. Government officials are advising the riders to be gentle on buffaloes and avoid using whips during the race.

Kambala even though judgement of Supreme court still continues to draw rural crowd, as it used to draw large crowd traditionally since more than 300 years.

During the valedictory and prize distribution ceremony, Pramod Madwaraj, local MLA, Nithyananda Kemmannu, Barkur Shantaram Shetty, Shivram Shetty, Damodher, Dayananda, Puspa Kotian, President of Kallianpur Grama Panchayat and others were present.

During his address, Pramod Madwaraj said that Kambala is not only simple sport but also it is the part of religious celebration in which Tulunadu celebrates. Where there is Tulunadu, there Kamala exists and both Kambala and Tulunadu; culture are related to each other. It would be the celebration of Tulunadu tradition which existed since more than 300 years. It would be great concern for us that due to the pressure from the animal rights lovers and the Supreme court, there could be obstacles arises now a days. But we have to fight in favor of retaining the Kambala which is our tradition supports.

Later, Pramod Madwaraj distributed the prizes for the winners. The winners are as Junior Hagga, Shiva Naik Shrroor – First place, Gopal Naik Shirroor Second place, while Seniors – Sadashiva Poojary First place and Shanker Poojary of Shashihitlu Byndoor awarded Second place.

Through the Kamala utsava and valedictory function, Ashok Kumar Shetty Mada compered the programme.

Thousands of Kambala fans from around Kemmannu, Thonse, Kallianpur and other surrounding areas witnessed the historical annual celebration of Thonse Padumane Kambalotsava with tradition. It was like every year this time also traffic from Kemmannu main road to place of Kambala was jam packed and it was very difficult to move the vehicles on the road with heavy vehicles and large number of people who walking on the road. Heavy police arrangements had been arranged. Large number of stalls and shops were attended by large crowd from rural places.