Travelogue - Bridge on the River Kwai
For many Indians, Bangkok/Thailand would be one of their first few travels abroad, but we had consciously skipped the same as it is quite accessible from all parts of India. In a quickly planned 4 day itinerary at Bangkok, we skipped many of the usual beaches and safari spots and picked one destination themed by one of the landmark movies in Hollywood history - "The Bridge on the River Kwai".
Nestled in the Thailand - Burma border in the province of Kanchanaburi, along the deep ravines and inaccessible gorges, River Kwai itself is a treat to watch. An estimated 1L plus prisoners of war, natives etc perished making the Thailand Burma railway line during the Japanese occupation of South East Asia in World War II. Bridge on the River Kwai is a movie set in that story backdrop (though, it was shot in Srilanka! ). This movie won seven Academy Awards in 1958 including the Best Picture, Director, Actor (Alec Guinness) , Screenplay & Cinematography .
While it is fictionalized, what makes this movie unique is not just the storyline or backdrop. It conveys many principles that we employ in modern lives and management situations effortlessly. Tasked with constructing the railway line in a limited time with British Prisoners of War, Japanese find that situation exasperating when their top-down approaches fall flat without understanding the cultural nuances. The British commander Nicholson, played by Alec Guinness navigates the situation with Japanese commanders, winning better living conditions for the prisoners and bringing British expertise to construct the bridge.. At the end Nicholson is stuck between his creation - the Bridge - and the loyalty to the motherland.
Kanchanaburi province, which means city of gold was established by the old Ayuthaya Kingdom of Siam to defend against the Burmese invaders. Today, we see a war cemetry as we enter the area honoring the dead who constructed this engineering marvel of railway line. The actual railway line was bombed and destroyed by British during the war, but now a replica is built on the same area on which a touristy train runs. The journey also exposed us to the ways of life in a rural Thai setting.
A few people asked me, whats there in the place to see.. Well, actually very little. But I think its the way you experience history.. As you walk through hearing the stories, it reminded me of our similar visits to old historical war remnants such as Dachau, Berlin and Hiroshima.. Reminds you that a few generations ago, millions perished, not just in battles, but also in inhuman conditions rendered by the captors. The small war museum near the river ( no phots permitted here ) depicts the harsh conditions that prisoners of war were subject to during those times. Makes you realize that it is not the glory, but human sufferings that should be highlighted to students of history.
PS: - There is another movie - "The Railway Man" which is shot in the same place against the same story backdrop.
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