Bridge

Written by Nandan

(Twitter: @NDdreamFactory

Instagram: @nandansdreamfactory)

“A man is ethical only when life, such, is sacred to him."

― Albert Schweitzer

He stood on the bridge watching the ferocious flow of the river. Alone. A flock of birds flew eastward across the red sky.

The sun is about to sink into the edge of the horizon. He could feel the cold slowly creeping into the iron chain. He felt that every link of it was too weak to support the weight of his heart.

It was in 1872, on the occasion of Madras Governor's visit to Travancore, that a suggestion was put before Diwan Madhava Rao and Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja; "Build a bridge across Kallada River".

The Maharaja was also assured that it would be good for both the states to have cargo movement between Kollam and Shenkottai.

Subsequently the head of public works department W. C. Barton began planning the construction of the bridge and selected a Scottish engineer named Albert Henry to build the bridge.

Albert Henry, who came to Punalur, observed the site and said that due to the strong current in Kallada River, a suspension bridge with only one pillar close to both banks would be preferable.

Care had to be taken to prevent wild animals from coming to the town from the wild areas on the other side and causing harm to the people. The engineer confidently declared that suspension bridges had been built over the bay in St. Petersburg, Russia and over a river in Scotland, so the same could be built here.

Then, the works for constructing the bridge started. After a detailed study, the sketch and plan were prepared and handed over to the Travancore authorities.

Albert Henry also assured that there will be no disturbance of wild animals. Without much delay, the Maharaja issued an order to build the bridge. And so the work on the bridge began under the direction of Chief Engineer Albert Henry. Meanwhile, his wife Emilia and two children had come and settled in Punalur.

The materials needed for the bridge were made in Scotland itself. The heavy nuts, bolts, wires and rods for the bridge were separated into several parts and transported to the Kollam Thangassery port by sail.

Very heavy iron and other materials were brought to Punalur in elephant carts. At this time the southern districts of Madras, especially the Madurai district, were hit by a terrible famine.

This famine helped the construction of the bridge, just like a curse turning into a blessing. Many poor stone masons sought refuge in Vanchinad due to famine.

Along with them, other workers were brought from Shenkottai and Tenkasi. The Maharaja sanctioned Rupees 1 lakh for the first phase and Rupees 2 lakh for the second phase.

There are two paths before the helm of a storm-tossed ship; pay attention to the storm and take the fall, or look at the light in the faraway lighthouse and move on.

He did the latter.

It's not over yet. The suspension bridge was also meant to prevent animals from entering this side from the forest on the other side. Because of that if you step on the bridge, the bridge will shake. Wild animals will get scared of this shaking and will not cross the bridge. Those who know about this can enter at will.

But some have been hysterically propagating that the shake-up is extreme. That this bridge is Sayipp's trap to fell the common people.

Due to all this, even though the Maharaja himself came and inaugurated the bridge on the first of August, the people did not bother to climb on it.

Some people at the market openly declared that they were not ready to drown in the river with their children.

And Albert Henry, who was generally unshakable by any means, often came to stand alone on that bridge in the evenings being disheartened. No doubt it will bring more happiness to others if he jumps down from there.

A bullock cart rumbled in the distance. He tried to organise his thoughts. As the days pass, he has begun to doubt the reliability of the bridge. Now all that doubt comes onto him. Such a situation has never appeared before.

Whatever it is, all the hard work taken with such faith must not go in vain. Do the same.

The bridge is aimed for bullock carts and horse carts carrying goods and passengers, right?

Call all the people together and show them elephants walking across the same bridge.

Are three elephants enough?

No. There must be six elephants.

Let the accusers see and understand.

If the bridge is not strong, it will collapse immediately.

Nevertheless it is better to collapse than to stand here like this without people using it. If it is not damaged, then the bridge will definitely remain here strong for a hundred years. If it is failure that comes, it is mine. If it is success, it is for others. This principle does not change anywhere in the world.

He walked back.

Emilia is busy with household chores.

Having lived here for five years, she has also learned a little about Indian ways. In any case, we cannot stay here permanently; As soon as the task assigned is done, we have to move to another place. Now it is not even known whether it is back to Scotland or somewhere else in India itself.

After dinner, Albert told his wife what he had thought earlier. Getting six elephants on the bridge in front of all the locals.

Emilia thought for a moment and said it was a good decision.

"That's not enough," continued Albert. "We both must get into a boat with the children and stand under the bridge at the same time."

Emilia hadn't expected this at all.

But knowing her husband better than anyone else made sure it was no joke.

She had also witnessed up close the near-insane passion and effort he's been putting in for so long.

If it had to end like this, so be it, Emilia thought. Fine, agree with that too.

The Diwan was informed the very next day. Arrangements were made to bring elephants from Pathanapuram.

A notice showing the day and time was also stuck in every place where people gathered. For the people it was as if a festival had come.

A certain section became very excited. Some of them wanted to see the bridge collapse while others wanted to see the man behind the bridge collapse.

Some started to bet.

Regardless, the chiefs and commoners alike decided that they would not go for anything else that day.

While playing with his children at home, Albert was aware that the news was spreading outside. He continued to distract himself as he had done for so long.

The workers tried to convince Emilia that they should back off from this adventure. Although they had never commented on anything before, each of them felt that when such a big mistake was made, they should not stand by and do nothing.

Emilia went to her husband and presented the matter once again. Albert said nothing. Needless to say, he is not ready to go back. Emilia gazed at him for a moment. She consoled herself that at least the children were spending their days in peace because they didn't know anything about this.

And so the day came. The way many drops combine and flow as a river, people flowed towards the bridge as another river.

As instructed earlier, the mahouts led the elephants to the bridge. The gaze of the group consisting of scholars and illiterate turned towards it.

As the first elephant slowly stepped onto the bridge, the bridge shook. After some hesitation, the elephant went ahead with the mahout. Behind that elephant, the other elephants too were led onto the bridge one after the other.

Some of those who had been watching the scene carefully feared that the bridge would now collapse. Albert Henry, who had been watching on shore, boarded the ready boat. The two older children followed.

Needless to say, they were very excited!

Then holding the third child, Emilia also stepped in and the boatman rowed the boat forward. As the boat moved forward, each moment felt longer to Emilia. William, the youngest child, began to cry as the crowd continued their ruckus. Emilia remembered that she had not yet asked her husband about the strength of the bridge as she struggled to hold back the baby's sobs.

She asked, "Nothing will happen, right?" Albert said nothing. The time for that question was over.

Their boat has reached under the bridge. And the boatman stopped in the middle of it. The scene awaited by those gathered around.

Six elephants lined up above the bridge and a family in a boat below.

Moments passed.

The bridge did not collapse.

The fear in the eyes gave way to wonder and shock.

The crowd burst into applause. It slowly became a single tone in rhythm. Instead of the many voices heard earlier now we hear music. The child's crying stopped.

Albert Henry knew he had won. He bowed his head slightly and folded his hands.

If it is failure that comes, it is mine. If it is success, it is for others.

About the Author:

Nandan is a filmmaker and writer from India, born in 1991.

He worked as a civil engineer in Bengaluru before moving to Mumbai to follow his passion in filmmaking.

He is known for directing ‘Breath’ and ‘Dreaming of Words’. He has also showcased his writing talent with the publication of three books, ‘Akashappanth’, ‘Manam: The Chronicle of a Masturbator’ and ‘Puthiya Marubhoomikal’.

He has received numerous accolades including a National Film Award.

Visit www.nandan.in