Bengaluru is set to host the Kambala races, a traditional folk sport from coastal Karnataka, where 160 pairs of buffaloes and their jockeys will race on specially crafted slush tracks at City Palace Grounds. Despite being banned in 2014, along with Jallikattu and bullock-cart racing, Kambala found a way to continue through legislative amendments. The sport, predominantly practiced in regions with Tulu speakers, is a source of pride for the Bunt community, who groom buffalo pairs for events held from November to April.
Kambala comprises four categories, including Negilu (plough), Hagga (rope), Adda Halage (participants stand on a horizontal plank dragged by buffaloes), and Kane Halage (jockeys stand on a plank with water gushing out as it’s dragged). In Bengaluru, 160 pairs participated, vying for a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh and gold. To encourage participation, an incentive of Rs 50,000 was offered to teams bringing buffaloes to the event. While traditionally confined to coastal Karnataka, the organizers believe that cultural depictions, like in the 2022 movie ‘Kantara,’ have expanded its appeal statewide.
Despite its popularity, Kambala faced criticism and legal challenges from groups like PETA, alleging animal cruelty. The Supreme Court initially banned it, but in 2016, exceptions were made for traditional events, subject to conditions to minimize animal suffering. State governments, including Karnataka, amended laws to accommodate these exemptions, a decision upheld by a constitutional bench in May. Critics, however, argue that despite these changes, the sport remains controlled by dominant caste groups, perpetuating historical discrimination against marginalized communities like the Koraga.
