The atmosphere was festive in Moodbidri as kambala, the traditional slush-track buffalo race of coastal Karnataka, resumed here on Saturday morning after a gap of one year.
The crowd erupted in loud cheer as pairs of buffaloes, with shimmering black skin, ambled in to take part in the race. Beside them walked their proud handlers, in their best saffron panche and mundasu (headgear). The cheer got louder as the pairs, two at a time, raced across the track with the handlers behind them.
The enthusiasm was higher than ever this year as kambala could not be conducted last year owing to a ban imposed by the High Court in November 2016 on a public interest litigation petition filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
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But a July 2017 Ordinance, which is in force till January 20, 2018, enabled kambala organisers to resume what they call “the traditional sports”. Though the PETA challenged the Ordinance in the Supreme Court, the latter on November 6 refused to pass an interim stay. The next hearing on the case is on November 13.
The Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod Jodukare (double-track) Kambala Committee has decided to go ahead with its calendar of 19 double-track kambalas for 2017-18 in light of the Ordinance in force. As part of it, the last kambala is scheduled at Talapady near Mangaluru on March 18, 2018. In addition, at least 150 other kambalas are being held between November and March in other parts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and neighbouring Kasaragod (Kerala) but not under the auspices of the committee.
By 6 p.m. on Saturday, as many as 150 pairs of buffaloes arrived for the race organised for the 15th year. Heat did not dampen the spirit of racers and owners of buffaloes. “We expect up to 200 pairs when the event gets over by 8.30 a.m. on Sunday,” said N. Vijaya Kumar Kanginamane, general secretary of the committee.
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