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Carting away a tradition
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Horse carts, once part of the transportation scene in the city and its suburbs, are fading away. M. ALLIRAJAN traces the evolution and journey of this once-popular mode of transport.
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A VANISHING BREED: Despite the downturn in fortunes, horse cart owners still care for their equestrian pals. Pics: S. Siva Saravanan.
BELLS TINKLING, our equestrian friends once trotted merrily on Coimbatore's roads, ferrying people and produce. This familiar sight is now becoming a rarity. Horse carts or kudhirai vandis as they are popularly known have slowly started vanishing.
Ironically, the horses that drove these carts now loiter on the roads and have acquired a 'nuisance value'. This popular form of transport, which has given way to modern modes of transport, has an interesting history.
Even a few years ago, these carts were very much in business. Commuting in them was an experience in itself. They were preferred for a number of reasons. Travelling did not take much time and horse carts were an easy mode of commuting short distances and through alleys and bylanes.
Those who owned these carts recall with nostalgia the good old days when they were in demand. Until recently there were as many as six stands for horse carts in the city.
The stands that were located at Railway junction, Gandhipuram and other prominent places resembled auto or taxi stands.
The good old kudhirai vandi suited the needs of everyone. "Initially, these carts were used for transporting people. Later, they carried vegetables and fruits to the market," says Rangasamy, who used to own a fleet of carts.
"At one point of time there were about 1,000 carts in and around Coimbatore. About 10 to 15 carts were parked in each stand and they largely catered to the local populace," says Muthali who operates horse carts in the city.
Rangasamy says there is even a place called kudhirai vandi court near the Collectorate. How did it get that name? Those days, driving a horse cart came with a lot of `riders'.
A number of rules had to be followed. First, a vandi pass had to be obtained from the authorities concerned. And, drivers had to wear a badge, which was virtually the licence.
"These were given only to carts which were in good shape. The skills of the driver were tested and the health of the horse certified. Only if all these conditions were fulfilled were the pass and badge granted."
A person found driving without the badge was penalised. During the night, drivers had to mount a hurricane lamp and bell on the carts. They acted as the `lights and horns'. "All those penalised for not following the rules paid the fine in a place near the Collectorate, which also housed the Munsif court. So, it came to be known as kudhirai vandi court," he narrates.
The fast-depleting numbers of carts also meant that buying accessories like the bridle and saddle got more difficult. They were earlier available in the market on Variety Hall Road. Now, the owners have to get them from Tiruchirapalli or Salem.
Horse carts were not run just for hire in the city. For farmers living in the suburbs and who owned carts, they meant an easy mode of transport. They were used to ferry farm produce to the markets and to commute to the city and places in the vicinity.
Now many have simply stopped using them.
"The cost of fodder has gone up considerably and the acute drought has made it virtually impossible for us to own carts," explains Subramanian, an agriculturist.
A few years ago, these carts started transporting children to school, especially in the suburbs. Now, that is also a rarity.
The riders rue the development. "Even now, the amount charged for transporting children in horse carts is far less when compared to autos and vans.
Moreover, the carts cover the distance in almost the same time as these vehicles," says Murugan, who used to transport children to school in his horse cart. In one of the suburbs, only one of the six carts that used to ply on the roads, is still in business.
Horse cart owners hold mini-autos and small tempos responsible for their downfall. "The advent of these vehicles has made things worse for us. People no longer prefer hiring horse carts.
They see it as an old-fashioned means of transport," they say.
The stand located near the Ukkadam bypass road is one of the very few that have managed survive.
Here, too, there are only about 10 horse carts.
They carry fruits and vegetables to the market and, occasionally, a few commuters as well. ;The burgeoning number of vehicles has made riding a horse cart all the more difficult.
"Traffic congestion has only added to our problems.
``The carts can no longer move around in the same pace as they used to.
We have to be a lot more cautious," Muthali states.
"It is true that we are struggling now. However, the chance to transport vegetables and other goods is the only silver lining in our lives," he adds.
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