Steephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Nework - Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Feb 24: The 'Anna -Thamma' Jodukare Kambala which went under way at Bolangala near Paivalike on Friday became extremely successful. The way people thronged the venue of this Kambala in large numbers during both day and night, it was clear that this age-old folk sport has not lost its popularity. The Kambala created an atmosphere of celebration and festivity in Paivalika, a rural place.
This Kambala was being held at Bangra Manjeshwar in the past, but had been suspended since the last 12 years. This Kambala was revived last year by holding the same at Bolangala in Paivalike.
The Kambala also exemplified the spirit of religious harmony present this sport of Tulunadu as Kambala jockeys belonging to different religions like Hinduism, Islam and Christianity sunk all differences and competed with each other in extracting the best out of the animals they were in charge of, in true sportsmen spirit.
Uniqueness
This 'Anna-Thamma' Kambala is unique as it is being organized near the 'Anna-Thamma' Daivasthana. It is being organized under the leadership of two brothers, Ajith Poojary and Ashwath Poojary of Poojary lineage, both of whom are social workers living near the Kambala venue. Another unique feature of this Kambala is that with the revival of this Kambala, the renovation work of the said Daivasthana is also set to be kick-started.
This Kambala was given a new lease of life with the coming together of 'Anna-Thamma Kambala Samiti' and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, Kasargod. Various religious, political, cultural leaders and leaders from different sections of the society overlooked their differences and joined hands for the success of this Kambala.
Srinivas Gowda, who has carved out a niche for himself after being identified as the fastest runner in Kambala field, became the cynosure of all eyes at this Kambala. At the 'Anna-Thamma' Kambala which ended on Sunday February 23, Srinivas Gowda from Kinar Ashwathplura grabbed four medals. In four departments, he led four pairs of buffaloes which he steered, to the final round. He won two first prizes and two second prizes. He got gold medals in 'Hagga Hiriya' and 'Negilu Kiriya' departments, while he had to be content with silver medals in 'Hagga Hiriya' and 'Negilu Hiriya' departments. He created a new record by annexing 39 medals in total during this Kambala season.
A pair of buffaloes owned by Boladaguthu Sathish Shetty named 'Kale' and 'Dhoni' which competed in 'Negilu Hiriya' section, created a record by completing the race in 12.45 seconds in the final fight. Hokkadigoli Kakkeri Suresh Shetty, who guided these two buffaloes, came to be identified as the fastest racer of the season by completing 100 metres in 9.47 seconds.
As many as 95 pairs of buffaloes participated in Paivalike Kambala.
Results are as follows:
1. Kane Halage: 1. Beladibava Ashok Shetty (could spray water to a height of 6.5 metres). Naravi Yuvaraj Jain was on the plank. Bollamballi Chaitra Parameshwar Bhat (6.5 metres). Byndoor Bhaskar Devadiga was on the plank.
Adda Halage: 1. Trishal K Poojary from Bolar 'A'. Mandarthi Shirur Gopal Naik was on the plank. 2. Trishal K Poojary 'B'. Mandrathi Shirur Gopal Naik on the plank.
Hagga Hiriya: 1. Kulur Poyyelu P R Shetty 'A'. Kolake Iruvathur Anand was on the plank. 2. Nandalike Srikant Bhat 'A'. Mijar Ashwathpura Srinivas Gowda was the jockey.
Hagga Hiriya: 1. Maijar Prasad Nilaya Shakti Prasad Shetty 'A'. Mijar Ashwathpura Srinivas Gowda was the jockey. 2. Sooda Halemane Ajitraj Shetty. Attur Kodange Sudhir Salian was the jockey.
Negilu Hiriya: 1. Boladaguthu Sathish Shetty 'A'. Hokkadigoli Hakkeri Suresh Shetty was the jockey. 2. Iruvail Panila Bada Poojary 'A'. Mijar Ashwathpura Srinivas Gowda was the jockey.
Negilu Kiriya: 1.Peruvai Kambalaody Ranjith Marla. Mijar Ashwathpura Srinvas Gowda was the jockey. 2. Udupi Hirebettu Shankar Devadiga. Jockey: Hirebettu Akash.