‘Bengaluru Kambala,Namma Kambala’: Massive turnout to witness historic Kambala event in Silicon City
Karavalites call ‘Bengaluru Kambala’ event a ‘Mini Tulunadu” gathering
Bengaluru: The Highly anticipated ‘Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala’ event kicked off in the city on Saturday, featuring the popular cultural Tulunadu sport 'Kambala' (Buffalo Race) and various other cultural programs. The two-day event being held at the Palace Grounds witnessed a large turnout, not only by people hailing from Karavali region, but also from other parts of the city.
In the meantime, the Kambala committee is also expecting people’s participation in more numbers on the event’s last day, on Sunday. This year’s Kambala season started from ‘Kakkepadavu Kambala’ in Bantwal.
Residents who have been away from their hometowns in coastal regions expressed joy at the opportunity to witness their traditional sport in Bengaluru. “We used to witness such events during our childhood days in our village, after coming to Bengaluru we had no much chance of watching the sport. However, for the first time we get to witness our land’s sport here in Bengaluru,” says Sunita who has been residing in Bengaluru for the past few years and hails from Udupi.
Another attendee, who works at a private firm in the city, states that the event gives a “Mini Tulunadu vibe.”
Meanwhile, jockey (Kambala Runner) of the Pannolibail Bandarada Mane team, expressed that, “I was nervous initially, since we were coming outside our region for the first time. However, me and my team are excited for the race. This should also continue for the years to come.”
Another jockey of the Sullia team, called the event a ‘Mini Tulunadu’ gathering in Bengaluru.
Hemant, a UPSC aspirant from Bengaluru, who is unfamiliar with the sport, expressed happiness over the coastal cultural event being held in the capital city. “ People here are not aware about traditions of various parts of Karnataka and for that reason, such events should take place. I had read about Kambala in my school books but never witnessed it. But, today I got an opportunity. Tulunadu culture is indeed very rich,” he added.
Meantime, two tourists, Adam and Issie from England also came down to Palace Grounds to attend the Kambala, speaking to this correspondent they revealed that their hotelier informed them about the grand sport being held here. “We enjoyed the food so far, though we are not aware about the events being held we have enjoyed things here. We haven’t seen the buffaloes yet but we are excited to witness the race.”
"People of Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapura don't go to heaven, they create heaven wherever they go.": Mimicry Dayananda
Renowned stand-up comedian, actor, and television presenter Mimicry Dayananda, performing at the 'Bengaluru Kambala, Namma Kambala' on Saturday, emphatically declared that the people of Mangaluru, Udupi, and Kundapura don't go to heaven; they create heaven wherever they go. Dayananda delighted the audience with his mimicry and humorous anecdotes.
In addition to Mimicry Dayananda's performance, popular Tulu actor Umesh Mijar and his team from the 'Bale Telipaale' show, Chennukunita, and various other traditional performances added to the cultural vibrancy of Day 1 at Bengaluru Kambala.
The two day mega sporting event is organised under the joint auspices of the Kambala Committees of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragodu districts and the Bengaluru Kambala Committee, and will come to a close on November 26, Sunday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, popular music director Gurukiran Shetty, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U.T Khader, Former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, Former Minister Sadananda Gowda and several other distinguished guests graced the event on its first day.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
