Mysuru: The iconic Mysuru Dasara celebrations may soon feature Kambala, Karnataka's famous traditional buffalo race, as part of the festival's cultural events. Puttur MLA Ashok Rai announced that preparations are being made to showcase the coastal sport during this year's Dasara celebrations.
Ashok Rai said Kambala has already been successfully organised in Bengaluru for the past two years, and the next step is to bring the centuries-old tradition to Mysuru.
Venue Already Identified
The MLA said officials have already inspected a suitable location to conduct the event. He also pointed out that the Mysuru royal family has a historical relationship with buffaloes and hence Kambala is a culturally appropriate aspect of the Dasara festival.
Rai said that in a recent meeting, no one raised objections to organizing Kambala as a special cultural event. There was a widespread acceptance of it as part of Karnataka's rich heritage.
Kambala is Karnataka’s Cultural Sport
Ashok Rai emphasized Kambala as one of Karnataka's traditional cultural sports that deserves wider recognition.
He also corrected a few misconceptions of the sport. There are false beliefs that buffaloes brought for Kambala are abandoned in Mysuru after the event, or that large pits are dug without proper planning, he said. Organisers want to dispel these myths, and they are going to do so through awareness and systematic planning.
Chief Minister Has Asked Us to Prepare
Ashok Rai said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked the organisers to start preparations for the proposed event.
He said the organising committee would need approximately two months to complete all arrangements and estimates that around ₹5-6 crore would be needed to conduct the event successfully.
Preparatory work is expected to begin on July 15, with plans to lay the foundation for the Kambala track shortly thereafter.
Trial run planned before Dasara
The organisers also plan to transport the buffaloes to Mysuru well before the festival and conduct a trial run nearly one month in advance to ensure the venue, track, logistics, and safety measures are fully prepared before the actual event.
If the proposal gets final approval, it will be the first time Kambala will be featured in the world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations and bring together two of Karnataka’s most celebrated cultural traditions.
Supporters anticipate the event will not only preserve the state’s heritage but also draw thousands of new visitors and tourists, which means Dasara will have a truly unique cultural aspect, and also help to promote Kambala on a national and global stage.
