Kuttippuram Old Bridge — Local services in Kerala

The bridge was inaugurated on November 11, 1953, by Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi, who was the Minister of Public Works in Madras at the time. The main architect of the bridge was K. V. Abdul Azeez from Ponnani. The chief engineer for the construction was W. H. Nambiar and the Superintendent engineer was P. T. The writer contrasts the river with the recently built bridge by expressing pride in being on it and joy at the pinnacle of modernization's real advancement. Standing on the bridge, the poet feels elation or bliss at being so high. The narrator claims that it cost 23 lakh rupees to construct the Kuttippuram Bridge. What makes the narrator feel proud as he stands on the newly built bridge? The narrator is proud of the fact that this bridge was constructed by human beings spending some 23 lakhs. He feels proud standing tall above the river. How does the narrator explain that the river was a part of his daily life? The river was a part of his daily life because he used to dip himself in it for daily prayers. He also played the game called 'poothankol' on its shores. "Level with the kingfisher, the sparrow and the crane that once flew over here. "What is the irony in these lines? The narrator thinks that standing on the bridge he has leveled himself to that of the kingfisher, the sparrow and the crane. The irony is that these birds no longer fly over it because of human interference and it is the narrator, another human who compares himself to that of these birds. What happens when the river is in spate? The riverbank would be washed away when the river is in spate. "But I can't help laughing." What thought makes the narrator feel like laughing? The thought of the river crawling under the dominant bridge, doing a tame Naatta makes him feel like laughing. He thinks that the river has become a looser. What is described in the poem as "the threshold of the new world? The newly constructed bridge is considered as the threshold of the new world. Who was the narrator's playmate from the day of his birth? Grama lakshmi, the rustic village was his playmate from his birth. What has now come to reign over the flowers? Stone, soot, cement and steel has come to reign over the flowers. They represent the idea of...

The Kuttippuram Bridge” is a poem written by the eminent Malayalam poet and playwright Edasseri Govindan Nair, and translated to English by A J Thomas. Popularly known as Edasseri, he was concerned with the agrarian crisis and the problems faced by the common man.

One of the most anthologised of his poems, “The Kuttippuram Bridge” (“Kuttippuram Paalam”) was originally published in the Mathrubhumi weekly in 1954, and was later included in his collection of poems Karutha Chettichikal (1955).

The poem, which was written in the wake of the construction of a bridge across the River Nila, is an expression of the poet’s anxiety and uncertainty about the process of modernisation that is slowly invading the rural world around the poet. The bridge here symbolizes modernity.

The poet is nostalgic about a pre-industrialized agrarian past when everyone was living in tune with the nature, around the banks of Nila/Perar. However, as urbanization encroached upon the villages, people are alienated from nature. This idea can be seen in the lines describing the past in which the poet used to play poothankol whereas at present the poet stands still with his eyes fixed on the river below.

In the first few stanzas of the poem, the poet tells us the construction of the bridge, and the proud feeling he has upon the human achievement. In the fourth stanza, he expresses the fear he has about the riverbank that it maybe washed away. In the subsequent stanzas, he reminiscences his childhood, of growing up in the riverbank, the playmate, i.e. the river. He worries that all that constituted the village life, the river, the kavu, the pipal tree, songs of the ploughman, everything will be destroyed by the advances of urbanization. In the last few stanzas of the poem, the poet warns the results of urbanization and how it is going to affect the life of the people.

In the final stanza of the poem, the visionary poet laments the state of human beings in the future as,

“Man is full of play, tears, and laughter.

If he turns into a machine, O Mother Perar, would you also turn Into a grieving,...

The Kuttippuram Bridge, located in the Malappuram district of Kerala, is a vital transportation link that connects the towns of Kuttippuram and Tirur. Spanning across the Bharathapuzha River, this bridge serves as a crucial artery for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the region.

One of the standout features of the Kuttippuram Bridge is its impressive length, which allows for smooth and efficient flow of traffic even during peak hours. The bridge is well-maintained and offers a safe passage for commuters traveling between the two towns.

The scenic beauty surrounding the bridge adds to its charm, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The view of the river from the bridge is breathtaking, especially during sunrise or sunset.

However, one downside of the Kuttippuram Bridge is its narrow lanes, which can sometimes lead to congestion during busy periods. Additionally, there have been reports of minor accidents due to reckless driving on the bridge.

Overall, the Kuttippuram Bridge is an essential infrastructure asset that plays a crucial role in connecting communities and facilitating economic development in the region. With proper maintenance and improvements to address traffic congestion issues, this bridge will continue to serve as a vital lifeline for residents and...