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The Coffer Dams
The novel begins with the arrival of Clinton, the founder and head of a firm of international construction engineers, in India to build a dam. With him he brings his young wife Helen and a team of experts, including his partner Mackendrick. Here Clinton meets with the head of Indian delegation Krishnan and discusses about the project, which they are going to start. In Krishnan’s opinion, the building schedule is too tight and needs modifications. Also, he is aware of bad weather conditions, which may affect the completion of the project in time. They face many difficulties because the project involves working in daunting mountains and jungle terrain. Many setbacks occur during this period, including accidents and clash among the mixed labour force. Also, some conflict arises there as the British men feel that they are superior to Indians in skills and technology. For Clinton, the building of the dam is top priority and a big challenge. However, Helen is not interested in her husband’s work. She turns her attention towards the local Indian tribesmen and finds the human values in them, which somehow she finds lacking in the British camp. Here she comes in contact with Bashiam who later becomes Helen’s linkman, providing the information she seeks of the country and its fascinating people. With the passage of time, weather conditions start to change and increase the problems. Soon the rains start to fall and the level of the river rises, putting the lives of the tribesmen at risk. This causes panic in the entire camp. The increased level of the river starts creating problem for the coffer dams, too. All of them are thinking about whether to breach the dams or allow them to stand. Gradually, the rains stop and the water level starts to recede. A sigh of relief appears in the camp. Kamala Markandaya has handled all the characters with skill. Short dialogues and varied descriptions show her deft command of the language. On the whole, this is a well-crafted fiction.
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FIRST published in 1969, The
Coffer Dams is among one of the 10 novels written by noted writer
and journalist Kamala Markandaya. In this novel, she has well defined
the collaboration of Western and Indian engineers who were building a
dam in southern India. She has also described the various activities of
a British engineering firm, which had been invited to build the dam.