Mysuru: Congress leader bats for kambala during Dasara

Dismissing the opposition to the State government’s decision to hold kambala during Dasara festivities in Mysuru, Congress leader S. Rajesh said the slush track buffalo races, traditionally held in coastal Karnataka, will pose no threat to Dasara festivities in Mysuru.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Monday (July 13), Mr. Rajesh said there is no reason for kambala, a traditional sport held in Dakshina Kannada and the Udupi region of Karnataka, to be excluded from Dasara festivities when art forms of other States such as Kathak and Kuchipudi, besides Chenda percussion from Kerala, are showcased.

“Mysuru Dasara, celebrated as the State festival, introduces people to various art forms and cultures from across the country. Why then should kambala, which is part of Karnataka’s sporting culture, not be included?” he questioned.

Describing kambala as a “spectacular and adventurous sport”, the Congress leader said it is not merely a sport of Tulunadu, but an integral part of the coastal region’s culture. “Efforts should be made to showcase and introduce kambala culture across Karnataka and to the entire world. It should not remain confined to the coastal region”, he said.

The Mysuru Dasara festivities should provide an opportunity to showcase kambala buffalo racing and the genuine skills of the jockeys to the younger generation. Kambala is a popular farmers’ sport in Karnataka.

Mr. Rajesh argued that kambala does not harm the environment and does not involve the felling of trees. Kambala transcends caste, religion and creed and promotes coexistence, harmony and sporting spirit, he said while claiming that Mysuru ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar had encouraged kambala. 

Political rivalry

He said the BJP is unable to digest the fact that the Congress government successfully organised Mysuru Dasara on a grand scale between 2023 and 2025, earning widespread public appreciation.

With the government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar including kambala in this year’s Dasara, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysuru MP, and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy are upset that the event will gain immense popularity and bring credit and success to the Congress government. “Their attempts to somehow prevent kambala from being held are driven by political vendetta,” the Congress leader said.

By dividing the people of Karnataka on the basis of coastal and Mysuru regions and in the name of language, art, culture and sports, BJP leaders are pursuing a policy of regional discrimination, he alleged, adding, “This amounts to a divide-and-rule policy aimed at splitting Karnataka and is condemnable.”