Kambala, traditional games enthral M'loreans

Hundreds of people witnessed the Kadri Sri Manjunatha Devara Kambla, popularly known as the Kadri Kambla, at the Sri Machendranatha and Sri Gorakshanatha marshy field tracks here on Sunday.

While the buffalo race on the marshy field enthralled Mangaloreans, other marshy field games provided opportunity for the people to participate in the traditional sporting. The events were organised in the presence of Kadri Sri Yogeshwar Mutt Seer Rajayogi Sri Sandhyanath. The race began after offering prayers to local deities.

A number of people including women and children actively participated in the kesarugadde ota (marshy field race) in the morning. Similarly, youth participated enthusiastically in the hagga jaggata (tug-of-war), Thappangayi and other traditional games, which enriched the event.

Marshy field race was held in four categories including below 12 years, between 12 and 18 years, open and a 4x12 metre relay for PU students. Separate competitions were held for men and women in the tug-of-war event.

Results

Buffalos of Erimaru Gopalakrishna of Hosabettu in Mudubidri won the gold medal in the ‘halage hiriya’ category. The buffalos were driven by Bhandashale Jaya Shetty for Gopalakrishna. Buffalos of Panjikallu William Manuel Rodrigues, driven by Chandrashekhar, bagged the second place.

In the ‘halage kiriya’ category, buffalos of Mundkaru Hosamane Yatheesh Shetty, driven by Attur Sathish Salian, bagged the gold medal. The second place was bagged by the buffalos of Poyyalu Babu Shetty of Kuluru in Manjeshwara, which were driven by Bhandashale Jaya Shetty. Meanwhile, in the ‘kanahalage’ category, buffalos of Gurupura Guruvappa bagged the gold medal.

A total of 13 pairs of buffalos participated in the compeition.

Foreigners

People, who gathered to witness the traditional games, were surprised to see citizens of United Kingdom participating in the traditional games ‘kesarugadde ota’ and ‘hagga jaggata’ actively.

Karl and his wife had arrived in Mangalore all the way from London to enjoy the rich tradition of Tulunadu.

The couple joined Mangaloreans and ran through the marshy field to participate in the kesarugadde ota.

They also pulled the tug as members of the hagga jaggata team.
Meanwhile, few other foreigners were watching the event from the pavilion.