Strong opposition to staging Kambala during Dasara in Mysuru

A meeting of representatives of farmers’ organisations, environmentalists, heritage experts, and progressive groups has resolved to strongly oppose the proposed move by the authorities to stage Kambala, a slush-track buffalo race, during the Dasara festival in Mysuru.

The participants also decided to constitute an action committee comprising representatives of the participating organisations to plan a series of protests against the event.

Addressing the meeting, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Badagalapura Nagendra said it was inappropriate to organise Kambala as part of Mysuru Dasara. He noted that Kambala is a popular traditional rural sport unique to the coastal region, with its own geographical and cultural identity. Organising it in Mysuru for commercial purposes should be opposed, he said.

Heritage expert N.S. Rangaraju said Dasara has been celebrated since the time of Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire and that there is no historical record of Kambala ever being part of the festivities. Questioning the need for its introduction now, he said such an event would dilute the heritage, dignity, and grandeur of Mysuru Dasara.

Environmental activist Bhanu Mohan said local art forms and artistes were being neglected while a sport belonging to another region was being included in the Dasara celebrations.

Speaking on behalf of Parisarakkaagi Naavu, activist Banu Prashanth said allowing Kambala now could pave the way for events such as Jallikattu and cockfights in the future. Therefore, he said, Kambala should not be allowed in Mysuru.

Parisarakkaagi Naavu general secretary Parashurame Gowda said the State was already facing drought-like conditions, with water levels declining in most reservoirs. With inadequate rainfall in Kerala and the Malnad region, there was a threat of water scarcity if the situation continued. Under such circumstances, he said, Mysuru should celebrate a simple Dasara instead of a lavish one.

He urged citizens to strongly oppose the proposed Kambala, pointing out that not only would trees be felled, but large quantities of water would also be used to prepare the slush tracks for the races. He appealed to organisations and citizens committed to preserving Mysuru’s heritage and environment to unite and ensure that Kambala was not held.

Farmers’ leader Manju Kiran also extended his full support to the agitation. Major General (Retd.) S.G. Vombatkere stressed the need for immediate action to halt the ongoing preparations for the proposed event.

Among those present at the meeting were educationist Nabijan; Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Mysuru Division secretary Hosakote Basavaraju; Siddegowda of the Kannada Kriya Samiti; Kannada activist Srinivas Mitra; Gokul of Team Mysuru; Leela Shivakumar, Anjana, Prabha, Swapna, Gayathri, Sumalatha, Guruswamy, Akbar, Bangara Nayak, Ganesh, Om Shivacharan, Shailajesh, Sadanandayya, Ravi Bale, Ramaswamy, Subbarao, Gopal, Sudheer Ganapathi, progressive activist Ugranarasimhe Gowda, advocates Aishwarya, Krishna, Umesh Gowda, Ramu and Prabhakar, among others, according to a statement issued by the organisers.