Kambala has no place in Mysuru Dasara, says HD Kumaraswamy
Synopsis
A proposal to bring Kambala — the coastal buffalo race made famous by 'Kantara' — into Mysuru Dasara 2026 has united an unlikely coalition against the Karnataka government: a Union Minister, the Mysuru royal family, and BJP leaders all say it would dilute two distinct traditions at once.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy on 11 July opposed the Karnataka government's plan to include Kambala in Mysuru Dasara 2026 .
Kambala is a traditional buffalo race rooted in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi coastal districts of Karnataka.
Mysuru royal scion and BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said he categorically opposed the proposal at the high-power committee meeting.
Shivakumar has indicated openness to new cultural programmes for the 11-day Nada Habba Dasara-2026 .
Critics argue the move would dilute the distinct heritage of both Mysuru Dasara and Kambala .
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 11 July firmly opposed the Karnataka government's proposal to include Kambala — the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka — in the Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations, arguing that such a move would undermine the distinct heritage of both festivals.
What Kumaraswamy Said
In a formal statement, Kumaraswamy maintained that Mysuru Dasara has developed its own irreplaceable identity over centuries and must not be altered to accommodate other regional traditions, however significant they may be in their own right.
'There is no need to include Kambala in the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, which have long been known for their unique traditions and grandeur. There should be no attempt to disturb the established traditions of Dasara,' he said.
The Union Minister went further, warning that relocating Kambala to Mysuru would strip the buffalo race of its essential character. 'Kambala is a symbol of the cultural richness and faith of the coastal region. It is a tradition intrinsically linked to the geography and way of life of this region. Bringing it to Mysuru would dilute the sanctity and divine heritage associated with both traditions, and that cannot be accepted,' he added.
What Is Kambala and Why It Matters
Kambala is a centuries-old buffalo race practised in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka, deeply embedded in the agricultural customs and belief systems of the region. The sport gained nationwide visibility following the success of the film 'Kantara Chapter - 1', which drew fresh attention to the traditions of coastal Karnataka.
Kumaraswamy stressed that the natural surroundings of the coast — its lush greenery and abundant water — are inseparable from the Kambala experience. 'There is no need to hurt the sentiments of either the people of Mysuru or those of the coastal region by shifting the event elsewhere,' he said.
The Broader Controversy
The proposal by the Karnataka government to feature Kambala during the Nada Habba Dasara-2026 — a grand 11-day celebration announced despite prevailing drought conditions in the state — has triggered a sharp political and cultural backlash. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated the government is open to introducing new cultural programmes as part of the festival, but the response has been largely hostile.
The Mysuru royal family, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, heritage experts, and several civil society organisations have all voiced opposition to the move. Mysuru royal scion and BJP Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said he raised his objection directly at the high-power committee meeting convened to plan the festival.
'I have clearly said 'no' to Kambala in the meeting. Dasara has its own cultural background, while Kambala has a different tradition. The sentiments of the people of Mysuru are clear. Organising Kambala during Dasara would amount to going against the wishes of the people of Mysuru,' Yaduveer said.
What Happens Next
The Karnataka government is yet to formally withdraw or confirm the Kambala proposal, leaving the controversy unresolved ahead of the 2026 festival. With opposition now spanning the royal family, a Union Minister, BJP legislators, and cultural organisations, the state government faces mounting pressure to reconsider. How Chief Minister Shivakumar navigates this cultural flashpoint is likely to have political ramifications in both Mysuru and the coastal districts.
Point of View
Its political symbolism. Chief Minister Shivakumar's push to introduce a coastal tradition into a festival historically associated with the Mysuru royal family reads as an attempt to broaden the Congress's cultural footprint in the state. But the blowback — from a Union Minister, the royal family, and heritage voices simultaneously — suggests the move was underprepared. Notably, Kambala's recent popularity was driven by a film, not a policy mandate, which makes the government's timing look reactive rather than visionary. If the proposal is quietly shelved, it will be remembered as an avoidable own goal.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there controversy over Kambala being included in Mysuru Dasara 2026?
The Karnataka government proposed featuring Kambala, a traditional coastal buffalo race, as part of the Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations. Critics, including Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and the Mysuru royal family, argue the move would dilute the distinct cultural heritage of both Mysuru Dasara and Kambala, which is rooted in the geography and customs of coastal Karnataka.
What did HD Kumaraswamy say about the proposal?
Kumaraswamy said there was no need to include Kambala in Mysuru Dasara, warning that relocating the event to Mysuru would dilute the sanctity and heritage of both traditions. He also argued that Kambala's essence is inseparable from the natural coastal setting in which it is held.
What is the Mysuru royal family's position on Kambala at Dasara?
Mysuru royal scion and BJP MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has categorically opposed the inclusion, stating at the high-power committee meeting that organising Kambala during Dasara would go against the sentiments of the people of Mysuru.
What is the Karnataka government's stance on Dasara 2026?
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said the government is considering new cultural programmes as part of the Nada Habba Dasara-2026, which is planned as a grand 11-day celebration despite drought conditions in the state. The Kambala proposal has not been formally confirmed or withdrawn.
