Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 4: "We expect the President to give his assent to Kambala bill within a few days. All the politicians will work in unison to ensure that folk sport of coastal Karnataka, Kambala, does not face any peril. In getting this done, we will overlook our different political ideologies and affiliation to different political parties," said union minister for statistics and programme implementation, D V Sadananda Gowda.

Speaking after taking part in the meeting organized as part of Rama-Laxmana Jodukare Kambala organized on Sunday December 3 at Goldfinch City, Bangrakulur in the city, Gowda said that being cultural and folk sport of Tulunadu, Kambala will survive and bill drafted for its survival will become law soon.

MP, Shobha Karandlaje, noted that Kambala is a part of the local culture and that unity in saving it will ensure success. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, presided over the programme.

The Rama-Laxmana Jodukere Kambala organized by Mangaluru Kambala Samiti was given the initiation by chancellor of Nitte University, N Vinaya Hegde, on Sunday morning. He wished that Kambala, which depicts ancient culture of the region, will continue for ever.

Chairman and managing director of MRG Group, K Prakash Shetty, felt that this art, which has been inherited from the ancestors, has to be celebrated like a fair. MLA, J R Lobo, said that state ad central governments have together managed to allow Kambala to be organized when its survival faced a question mark. He expressed happiness at the fact that a Kambala venue has been created within the city.

Earlier in the day, vice-chancellor of Nitte University Dr N Vinay Hegde inaugurated Rama Lakshmana Jodukere Kambala spearheaded by Capt Brijesh Chowta at the slush field of Gold Finch city at Bangrakuluru on Sunday, December 3.

Founder chairman of MRG Group Prakash Shetty declared the slush field open.

Addressing the gathering Dr N Vinay Hegde said, "We need to celebrate this occasion of Rama Lakshmana Jodukere as it is being held after a long time. This is a great moment for all Kambala enthusiasts who were eagerly waiting for this occasion. I wish this Kambala to be a very successful one.”

Prakash Shetty said, "All people from coastal region are emotionally attached to this traditional sport of Kambala. We are so happy that Kambala is back in Mangaluru which is spearheaded by Capt Brijesh Chowta. Kambala is our culture which needs to be saved for long."

MLA J R Lobo said, "After a long gap, we are organising Kambala here in Mangaluru and it is a happy moment for all of us. It is not easy to organise Kambala as one needs a slushy field. Credit goes to Prakash Shetty for arranging this venue and making this Kambala possible. This will definitely bring name and fame to the twin districts."

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik said, "There were several interruptions to Kambala. After battling it out in the court, today Rama Lakshmana Jodukere Kambala is being organised. I hope this Kambala will continue for long without any issues."

Kambala commitee president Capt Brijesh Chowta said, "We had planned to organize this event two years ago. Our battle in the court finally paid off. We approached MRG group chairman Prakash Shetty for the venue and he agreed for it. We are organising Rama Lakshmana Jodukere in six categories and over 120 pairs of buffaloes from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district will take part in this event."

Kambala Samiti president, Capt Brijesh Chowta, presided. Former deputy speaker of the state assembly, Yogish Bhat, city mayor, Kavitha Sanil, Samiti working president, Nithin Shetty, general secretary, Ravichandra PM and others were present. 85 pairs of buffaloes took part in this Kambala, which was divided over six sections.

State animal husbandry minister, K Manju, visited the Kambala during the day. He exuded confidence that the state would be able to convince the Supreme Court that there is no violence against animals in Kambala, a contention raised by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.