News n Visuals : Anand Kumar Barkur
Celebrity Guests and Award Winners Grace Traditional Buffalo Race Event
Barkur - The historic Barkur Nadumane Kambala Mahotsava concluded today in a highly disciplined and successful manner under the leadership of Sri B. Shantaram Shetty, a recipient of the State Award in the Kambala field and this year's Sahakara Ratna Award winner.
The traditional buffalo racing festival witnessed record-breaking participation this year, with an unprecedented 66 pairs of buffaloes competing in various categories, marking a significant milestone in the event's history.
Star-Studded Attendance
Adding glamour to the cultural festivities, the event saw special attendance from popular Kannada film personalities. Actor Dushyant and actress Aashika Ranganath, lead actors from the film "Gatavaibhava," along with the film's technical crew, graced the occasion. The film stars observed the traditional buffalo races with keen interest and expressed their appreciation for the cultural heritage on display.
Honoring Excellence
In a special ceremony held during the festival, the Barkur Nadumane Kambala Mahotsava Committee felicitated Sri B. Shantaram Shetty of Barkur for receiving this year's prestigious Sahakara Ratna Award. The committee also honored actors Dushyant and Aashika Ranganath, along with the technical team of "Gatavaibhava," extending best wishes for the film's success.
Organizational Excellence
The smooth conduct of the festival was ensured by a dedicated team of organizers. Sri Abhijit Pandeshwar and Sri B. Ramachandra Kamath served as announcers for the event. Sri Devadas Hoskere of Barkur played a crucial role in preparing the racing buffaloes for competition, while Sri Ravi Hemmadi, Nitin Shetty, and Sri Vishwanath Prabhu efficiently managed the documentation and record-keeping.
Competition Results
The festival featured multiple categories showcasing the skill of both the buffaloes and their handlers:
Halage Category:
- First Place: Atmaj Neeraj Barkur (driven by Raghavendra)
- Second Place: Adwin Raviraj Shetty, Neralakatte Kodladi (driven by Ganesh Ulluru Kandavar)
Hagga Senior Category:
- First Place: Venkata Poojari, Sasihitlu Baindur (driven by Srikanth)
- Second Place: Babanna Nayak, Kokkarne (driven by Srikanth)
Hagga Junior Category:
- First Place: Samruddhi Prasiddhi Durga Friends, Kanchikana (driven by Shankar Naguru)
- Second Place: Neeraj Atmaj Barkur (driven by Vishwanath Devadiga)
Sub-Junior Category:
- First Place: Sri Durga Kudli (driven by Bharat Naik)
- Second Place: Babanna Naik Kokkarne (driven by Bhatkal Harish)
Community Gratitude
The Barkur Nadumane Kambala Mahotsava Committee extended heartfelt thanks to all buffalo owners who participated in the festival, the massive number of Kambala enthusiasts who attended and made the event spectacular, the sensor division, and everyone who contributed directly or indirectly to making the festival a grand success.
The successful conduct of this year's Kambala, with its record participation and distinguished guests, reaffirms the continuing cultural significance of this traditional sport in coastal Karnataka and its ability to bridge heritage with contemporary entertainment.
