Kambala at Mysuru Dasara will dilute festival’s heritage, claim organisations

Several organisations have opposed the State government’s reported proposal to organise the traditional Kambala buffalo race as part of this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations, arguing that the event is incompatible with the heritage, cultural identity and religious significance of the world-famous festival.

Addressing reporters here on Thursday, representatives of the organisations said Mysuru Dasara is a globally recognised cultural festival that attracts thousands of visitors from across India and abroad every year.

They contended that the inclusion of events such as Yuva Dasara in recent years has already resulted in heavy crowds and traffic congestion. Organising Kambala, they said, would attract even larger crowds and further strain the city’s infrastructure.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president Badagalapura Nagendra, Parashurame Gowda of Parisarakkagi Naavu, heritage expert N.S. Rangaraju, activist Bhanu Mohan and others addressed the press conference.

In a statement, the organisations, which have formed a Joint Action Committee against the proposal, said Kambala is an 800-year-old traditional rural sport indigenous to the coastal Tulu Nadu region. Originating as a post-harvest thanksgiving ritual performed by farmers, the sport is associated with the geography, culture and religious traditions of the coastal belt and is conducted according to long-established customs and rituals.

“Transplanting such a region-specific cultural event to Mysuru during Dasara is neither appropriate nor justifiable. Not only the people of Mysuru, but many people from the coastal region would also oppose such a move,” the statement said.

The organisations also questioned the government’s priorities at a time when several districts in the State are facing drought-like conditions due to delayed monsoon rains. They noted that many farmers have been unable to begin sowing, while crops in already sown fields are withering because of inadequate rainfall.

They argued that bringing nearly 400 buffaloes and around 20,000 participants and support staff to Mysuru for a two-day event, clearing vegetation across 27 acres to create a slush track and using lakhs of litres of water amid severe water scarcity would be environmentally and economically unsound.

Instead, they urged the government to strengthen the quality of Mysuru Dasara celebrations by addressing existing shortcomings, promoting local art forms and artists , and ensuring fair remuneration for performers.

The Joint Action Committee appealed to the State government to reconsider and withdraw the proposal to organise Kambala during Mysuru Dasara. It also warned that if the government proceeds with the event, farmers’ organisations, environmental groups, Kannada organisations and progressive organisations would jointly launch a protest.