KAMBALA

                             The Vamanjoor Thiruvail Gutthu Kambala again ranged a bell of record by cessating the event within 24hours, in 23 hours. This Kambala  is happening every year in the holy land of 'Sanku Poonja' and 'Devu Poonja'. Tha South-North(ganth) track is constructed infront of the Amrutheshwara Temple. This temple is built in marvelous architecture having wide area inside. The garba gruha was made in Jain or Basadi type of architecture which indicates the restoration of architecture of prevailing faith, couple of centuries ago.

         We can see the holy tombs of both the heroes in the paddy field beside the Devu Poonja kare. A natural water source is located near to these tombs.

          The whole Thiruvail Guttu terrain is appears like a canyon by being located between the two hill series.  An year ago I was searching for something and ended up in reading a geographical analysis of Thiruvail Guttu. It is analysed that once upon a time, the course of Gurupur river is flowing through this area and changed later on. Offcourse the terrain is looks alike so, but the land is fertile and very flat looks alike battle field and I would say that one can be convinced that that land is well made for battles. It is not easy to say  river can change its course in 90 degree west, usually rivers take meandering path whilr changing their flow.  Even there is no sign of pebbles or remnants of the course.

The DELAY

              In recent years, due to surge in the number of buffalow pairs competing the Kambalas, the events gets delayed.Supreme court also ruled that Kambala should be ended within 24 hours. This is not good for both buffalows and Spectators. One may eager to watch entire event till the final. But the delay will leave him jaded. According to a human nature, One can hardly enjoy any event upto 24 hours without sleep. But it's formidable to stay eager further. Even the stamina of the buffalows gets diminishes.  

           There are some Kambalas associated with Traditional practices and rest are led by organization of cooperative world. Kambalas often organized by Political powers. Most of these cooperative driven Kambalas are delaying because of focusing on the arrangement or the event to fete the leaders rather  than the race. I would say that a strong hegemony is required to cessate the event, not a association with thousands volunteers. I still remember the voice from a ganth coordinator in the Vamanjoor Thiruvail Guttu Kambala to Flag-man "Eereg unthayara aijinda, Yankla unthad korpa".

       Unavailability of jockies is also results in the delay. The new rule for next Kambala season is said that a jockey can race and a 'mada-budpunaye' can regulate  only 3 pair of buffalows. It will generate opportunities for hundreds of men to take role. It will also eliminate the process adjusting the races among the different categories, according to the availability of contracted jockeys. But in the current situation, Kambala is already facing shortage of jockeys. It may take several years to cope with this.

MODERNITY AND TECHNOLOGY

      In Aikala Bava Kanthabare-Boodabare kambala which was run under the leadership of present President of District Kambala Association, organizers installed a prototype of new technology at the ganth which regulates the starting of race with the sponsorship of well known foundation. This technology can barrier the forward movement of buffalows, which interrupts the starting of the race. But do not regulates the standing position of the buffalows at the ganth. Without the barriers from all sides except from the back, it's incomplete to overcome from this complication. The direction and forward movement of the buffalows are currently regulated by the couple of men called 'mada-budpunakl' who plays a key role in finalising the Kambala within 24hours and also a vital subject in the conventional methord. As race gets tough fight, how these men regulate and release the buffalows will decide the result .The back foot movement of the buffalows is plays a major role in determining the running direction of the pair and this is also the major problem we have to deal with. Even if the forward movement is regulated by the barrier, we need another means to regulate the sideward movements. The pair also needs to maintain certain gap inbetween them. So we can't apply the technique used in Horse race where single horse is raced.

          Getting steady is also inturrupted by the defication by the buffalows. We can't overcome from this because it is natural to accept and we may have to wait for  five to ten seconds which may not be unconvinced by the spectators. 

      Jockies should be avoided from beating the buffalows after reaching the 'manjotti'. Buffalows may think of relief after reaching the 'manjotti'. But if the jockey is still agressive after finishing the race, One can't deny the act of cruelty. It will be good if the refrees use types of cards which can bar the jockies from upcoming races for a certain period, similar to other sports and games to adjudge the malpractice.

It will be good if buffalows competing in the Kambala be tagged in their ear, similar to the cows. If once a pair of buffalows registered in Kambala they have to be paired with Yoke until they lose. Till there they have to rest or stay together which may difficult for them. For the well fare of the buffalows, Organizers can introduce tag system to uniquely identify the buffalows at the entrance of the 'kare' by scanning the barcode in the tag. Thus buffalows can be seperated after the race and be rested individually and this type of resting  will be also resulted in increase of speed in racing. 

Kambala fields have amenities for the buffalows. But lacking for the spectators. I would say that atleast 3 proper washroom fecilities have to be provided near every Kambala field for both bathing and defication. Without these amenities, spectators may have to find other means to deficate by finding the shrub area which may lead to dangerous stings. We can also improve number of spectaors and tourists through Kambala by providing paid tent stay near the event which may give different experience for the spectaors. Not only the tourists but also the kambala team members can rest.

Kambala can attract more non agrarian young minds by various methods like by organizing quiz based on all the Kambalas of that particular season among the student groups at completion of the last Kambala of the  season, Organising Painting and Drawing competition on Kambala as organising in few cooperative Kambalas.

kare                      - Kambala track

ganth                    - Starting point of the race

manjotti               - Upword Slopy region at                                   the finishing point of                                         the race to deaccelerate                                   the speed of the                                                 buffalows.

mada-pudpunakl -  Men who regulated the  direction and movement of the buffalows so that buffalows remain calm and their yoke align with one anotherbefore starting the race at the ganth