MANGALURU: Unlike most traditional games in the country, there is a sense of professionalism and competitiveness between the participants that distinguishes kambala, the game of Tulunadu.
It is only natural then that most kambala jockeys wish to leave an indelible mark in the sport. Among those eyeing such a distinction in this male-dominated game is Chaitra Bhat, 11.
Chaitra, the daughter of Parameshwara Bhat in Bollampalli in Kundapur in Udupi district, hogged the limelight at the recently concluded kambala event at Miyar when she introduced the pair of buffaloes her father owned and was fielding for his jockeys in the competition. She has also been training herself on a 110-metre long track at her father’s field. Chaitra is determined to run with the bulls at the traditional kambala events.
Chaitra’s father Parameshwara is, not only supporting his daughter realise her dream, but is also nurturing the goal by training her himself. Parameshwara is a patron of kambala, having been actively involved in the sport for the past two decades.
He has been participating in professional kambala events across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi for the past few years.
At Miyar, Parameshwara chose to break with tradition when, instead of introducing the buffaloes himself, he had Chaitra usher in the animals to the track.
Vowing to nurture her passion for the game, Parameshwara told TOI, “Chaitra is extremely passionate about the sport. She takes on the responsibilities of feeding buffaloes with enthusiasm and loves them. She has been accompanying me to all kambala events recently, and I brought her a young buffalo, which we have called Ganesha. She has been training with Ganesha. If she wishes to join Kambala Academy, I will support her.”