Singing fish in Kallady

Kallady is the bridge that closes the gap of batticaloa lagoon. The new Kallady bridge proudly stands beside the old bridge, which served thousands of people before it was put up in 2012. My friend who is a resident of the area since his birth says that during the times of elam war, there were only bicycles which crossed the bridge, and one car, which belonged to a famous wealthy person. But if you go there today, things are different. Kallady bridge is used by thousands of vehicles each hour from North South direction, even in the middle of the night. However, the old bridge with its metallic frame is just there to remind memories of the past. Used only by young lovers as a hideout and by fishermen.

That is a common sight. If you are travelling at night, even in afternoons, I have seen fishermen using Kallady Bridge. The batticaloa lagoon, with its rich fish resources have provided for generations of these men and their families. There are numerous folk tales about fishermen, and singing fish in Kallady is just one. According to legened, fish under the bridge comes out at night with their own songs. Maybe they are dead ancestors of singers, or just singing sad songs, moved by watching the fate of their brothers and sisters doomed by the nets and fish hooks. Nobody surely knows where the origin of the singing fish story is, yet there are traditions.

Apparently, decades ago, some enthusiasts from BBC went down the bridge with divers to record and put an end to the legend, or the false claim of “singing fish.” Although I couldn’t find original recordings, documents show that they recorded some sounds under water that resemble musical notes. And it is surely not whales! As the lagoon is too shallow for the singing giants. It can be a puffer fish or some other small fish. Often, I have seen flying fish and jelly fish under the bridge, yet to see a singing one.

Even today if you go there you will find some statues of singing fish near the bridge. Restaurants nearby use this as an attractive marketing strategy. I am confident that in the past also the Legend of Kallady singing fish was used as an innocent agenda of some old men who used the bridge as their living. If you asked anyone who is fishing on the bridge, they would say that they have never heard of such singing or whistling by any fish out there. However, the legend will live as there are always people who want to tell a story and thousands who want to listen to them.

If you looked the west, you will see the buffalo island and the Dutch fortress, in the south edge of the batticaloa main island. To the east, you will see the long treeline of the Kallady beach, which separates the lagoon from the sea. The kallady Beach, which is just a few hundred meters away from the bridge, is a great place for anyone to have some rest. Although sandy beaches and plenty of shades are there, I wouldn’t recommend having a bath in the sea, as I rarely see anyone stepping into the ocean. But a kite or a ball would be handy.

Apart from singing fish, there are plenty of places to explore in the surrounding area. One such is the Fort Park, which I have written earlier. Also, the Batticaloa lighthouse and the hidden beach of batticaloa will add a tranquil experience to your journey.