The Kuttippuram Bridge (Kuttippuram Paalam) by Edasseri Govindan Nair: Essay Questions
Kannur University
Common Course
Readings on Kerala (1A02ENG)
1.
'Edasseri's poem "The Kuttippuram Bridge" is a critique of mindless
urbanisation.' Explain.
&
2.
'Edasseri's poem "The Kuttippuram Bridge" conveys its message through
a series of strategically placed images and symbols.' Elucidate.
Edasseri's
poem "The Kuttippuram Bridge" is translated from Malayalam by A J
Thomas. It is a critique of mindless urbanisation. This poem conveys its
message through a series of strategically placed images and symbols. Edasseri's
poetry is inspired by his childhood experiences. His mother and elder sister
inculcated in his a taste for poetry. His poetry and plays are characterised by
their portrayal of the nature and culture of Kerala, its environment,
vegetation, rituals, and festivals. His poems reflect the problems of farmers,
the nationalist struggle, and the agonies of working-class people.
"The Kuttippuram Bridge"
offers a glimpse into the mind of the narrator giving a prophetic picture of
urbanization, when he speaks highly about the bridge he was standing upon.
Perar is flowing underneath the bridge like a defeated person. The river,
according to the narrator, is capable of obliterating its shores with its feral
powers. However, with the strength of the bridge, modern humans were able to connect
the two sides of the powerful river across which no birds flew or boats crossed
while it was swollen and wild with water. Consumed by a proud feeling, the
narrator explains the cause of his joy. The poet experiences elation or joy at
being so high while standing on the bridge. The kingfisher and sparrows the
poet had seen during his childhood only attained this height. The narrator is
in awe of the ability of the human being to construct such a powerful symbol of
victory over nature. However, this proud feeling is short-lived. Soon the
narrator's gaze falls upon the countryside, the "Gramalakshmi", which
is receding into oblivion.
He states that the village is his
playmate from childhood. Acknowledging the quickly receding features of the village
and its nearing collapse, the poet goes on invoking the lost beauty of the
rural countryside. The narrator contrasts these elegant features with the stark
reality of modern urbanization. To achieve this effect the poet paints a
village where soot, cement, and steel overwhelm the flowery innocence of the
village. The night is robbed of its silence and the day is usurped by the
fast-moving life of urban individuals.
The narrator is saddened by the
thought of flowers, trees, and traditional 'kavus' going extinct. He wonders if
the river would one day turn into a reeking drain. His village used to be a
quiet place, full of beauty. Now, it has become noisy with all the vehicles and
became less attractive with its paddy fields and flowering meadows going
extinct. The gradual loss of the village to the usurping modernization pains
the narrator.
There is a shortage of space as
walls are erected everywhere. Days and nights are noisy with vehicles and
people fighting with each other. Strangers have started residing in the
neighbourhoods. Conflicts between strangers are on the rise. Neighbours are no
longer familiar with each other. They have become total strangers to each
other.
The narrator also shares his
concerns regarding the river Perar. The fathomless depths such as Malloorkkayam
shall no longer be fathomless. The deity of Malloor may soon be a wayside
deity. The grandeur of Anthimahakalan Kunnu shall also be lost as an aftermath
of the mindless urbanization. The poet invokes the image of a child robot while
describing the bleak future of Anthimahakalan Kunnu. He says that the hill may
seem like a spinning top hurled by a quick-tempered child robot. The poet
suggests a post-humanist scenario of a culture where human beings are turning
into machines and their sensibilities are lost.
Major collections of poetry written
by Edasseri are Alakaavali (1940), Puthankalavum Arivaalum (1951), Karutha
Chettichikal (1955), etc. "The Kuttippuram Bridge" is taken from
Karutha Chettichikal (1955). This poem was first published in Mathrubhumi
Weekly in 1954. His major plays are Koottukrishi (1950), Ennichutta Appam
(1957) etc. Edasseri's poem "The Kuttippuram Bridge" offers an
unsettling view into the changes brought by urbanization.
More Notes: Paragraph Questions (The Kuttippuram Bridge (Kuttippuram Paalam) )
More Notes: Paragraph Questions (The Kuttippuram Bridge (Kuttippuram Paalam) )
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