The Kankanhalli Bridge across Arkavathi
This is a story about my grandfather A Narasimhiah, as recollected and told to me by my father.
It was a blazing mid- morning sun beating down on the ragi fields. A small boy in Gundulpet watched the English Surveyor, who rode into the village. The rider, wearing a pre-independence pith hat and a leather cross belt, was seated on a magnificent black horse. The white cross on its forehead, made it seem as if it had descended from the heavens. The boy watched, open mouthed, with fascination. He looked at his oversized worn-out brown shirt and khaki shorts with dismay.
A seed of ambition began to grow in the boy’s head. He determined that one day, he would learn to know the ways of the English and sit on such fine beasts. He ran back to the sand covered patch under the huge banyan tree, where his father taught the local boys, the art of wrestling. As he watched his father, it became clear to him, that this ancient art, would not get him on that fine horse.
The family moved to Mysore. The given name of the boy was Narasimhiah. Through Primary, Middle and High school he learn't that Mathematics and English language was important to reach his goal. There was no money from the wrestling art of his father, who had now turned to spiritual sanyasi path. The family survived on the hard work of his mother. She used the heavy hand grindstones, to make flour, and delivered it to wealthier families for money.
A lucky inheritance, from a school teacher uncle, was a fortunate godsend to the boy, who was now filled with a fiery drive, to reach the highest pinnacle of education in his mind, and become a
graduate. His hero was Sir M.Vishweshariah who masterminded the KRS dam( Krishna Raja Sagara dam had begun in 1911 and was completed in 1931).
Intermediate examination at the college level was a huge stumbling block. He almost gave up encountering difficulty in clearing the English exam, although he did well in mathematics. His friends stood by him, and never let him give up. He finally made it on his second attempt. By this time, he had built up his own popularity as a trusted friend, a gifted footballer, and above all as a defender of truthfulness and filled with kindness to vulnerable folk of humble origin. In 1932 Narasimhiah achieved a milestone for his family, by graduating with a Civil Engineering degree from the now venerated “University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) established in 1917”.
Alumni meeting of UVCE with Sir M. Visvesariah
Narasimhiah never hesitated to take up daunting tasks. His motto was now, ”Never Give Up”. With no technical experience in construction to back him, he undertook to build the Arkavathy Bridge at Kankanhalli. He had numerous friends, who gave moral support and were much impressed, that a boy from a remote village, would dare take up such a challenge. He and his friend (Sambamuthy) invented a bar bending machine, that, although worked by hand, proved to be of immense help in the construction of the bridge. He showed great leadership and entrepreneurship, by recruiting workers as a group and standing by them through thick and thin.
By this time Narasimhiah had married Rajamma (beautiful daughter of Channappa residing at Arlepet/ Cottenpet in Bangalore). His family was now complete with three sons. He first built a makeshift lonely house at the bridge construction site. Rajamma was still a young girl. She had
a protective wealthy father, and was used to comfortable city life in Bengaluru. But she was a brave one, a loving devoted mother and wife, with an indomitable will, to help her husband succeed by being at the site with her children.
In 1952 the Bridge was opened to the public by his Highness Sri Jaychamraja Wodeyar in a grand ceremony. Narasimhiah’s achievement came with the ultimate sacrifice to Goddess Arkavathy. His second son was drowned in Arkavathy during the construction of the dam.
(In loving memory of a man who gave of himself, love, a spirit of reaching for the stars to his friends, family and those who were challenged in their lives and of a woman who was far ahead of her times in venerating education and knowledge )
It was a blazing mid- morning sun beating down on the ragi fields. A small boy in Gundulpet watched the English Surveyor, who rode into the village. The rider, wearing a pre-independence pith hat and a leather cross belt, was seated on a magnificent black horse. The white cross on its forehead, made it seem as if it had descended from the heavens. The boy watched, open mouthed, with fascination. He looked at his oversized worn-out brown shirt and khaki shorts with dismay.A seed of ambition began to grow in the boy’s head. He determined that one day, he would learn to know the ways of the English and sit on such fine beasts. He ran back to the sand covered patch under the huge banyan tree, where his father taught the local boys, the art of wrestling. As he watched his father, it became clear to him, that this ancient art, would not get him on that fine horse.
The family moved to Mysore. The given name of the boy was Narasimhiah. Through Primary, Middle and High school he learn't that Mathematics and English language was important to reach his goal. There was no money from the wrestling art of his father, who had now turned to spiritual sanyasi path. The family survived on the hard work of his mother. She used the heavy hand grindstones, to make flour, and delivered it to wealthier families for money.
A lucky inheritance, from a school teacher uncle, was a fortunate godsend to the boy, who was now filled with a fiery drive, to reach the highest pinnacle of education in his mind, and become a
graduate. His hero was Sir M.Vishweshariah who masterminded the KRS dam( Krishna Raja Sagara dam had begun in 1911 and was completed in 1931).
Intermediate examination at the college level was a huge stumbling block. He almost gave up encountering difficulty in clearing the English exam, although he did well in mathematics. His friends stood by him, and never let him give up. He finally made it on his second attempt. By this time, he had built up his own popularity as a trusted friend, a gifted footballer, and above all as a defender of truthfulness and filled with kindness to vulnerable folk of humble origin. In 1932 Narasimhiah achieved a milestone for his family, by graduating with a Civil Engineering degree from the now venerated “University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) established in 1917”.
Alumni meeting of UVCE with Sir M. Visvesariah
Narasimhiah never hesitated to take up daunting tasks. His motto was now, ”Never Give Up”. With no technical experience in construction to back him, he undertook to build the Arkavathy Bridge at Kankanhalli. He had numerous friends, who gave moral support and were much impressed, that a boy from a remote village, would dare take up such a challenge. He and his friend (Sambamuthy) invented a bar bending machine, that, although worked by hand, proved to be of immense help in the construction of the bridge. He showed great leadership and entrepreneurship, by recruiting workers as a group and standing by them through thick and thin.
By this time Narasimhiah had married Rajamma (beautiful daughter of Channappa residing at Arlepet/ Cottenpet in Bangalore). His family was now complete with three sons. He first built a makeshift lonely house at the bridge construction site. Rajamma was still a young girl. She had
a protective wealthy father, and was used to comfortable city life in Bengaluru. But she was a brave one, a loving devoted mother and wife, with an indomitable will, to help her husband succeed by being at the site with her children.
( A view of Kankanhalli Bridge .. the other side)
In 1952 the Bridge was opened to the public by his Highness Sri Jaychamraja Wodeyar in a grand ceremony. Narasimhiah’s achievement came with the ultimate sacrifice to Goddess Arkavathy. His second son was drowned in Arkavathy during the construction of the dam.
(In loving memory of a man who gave of himself, love, a spirit of reaching for the stars to his friends, family and those who were challenged in their lives and of a woman who was far ahead of her times in venerating education and knowledge )
Very inspiring man. His perseverance and dedication is of extraordinary nature. Sheer admiration of his character is not adequate. It has to be emulated. Hats off Narasimhiah, Karnataka and your professional is proud of you.
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