Notes of the Chapter ‘Coorg’: This is a part of the lesson ‘Glimpses of India’ from the book ‘First Flight’ published by NCERT for Class 10 Literature. The Notes comprise a summary, theme, character sketches and literary devices.
Summary:
Glimpses of India – Coorg is a pen-portrait of Coorg, a town in Karnataka, popularly known as coffee country. In the story, Abrol explores the Coorgis’ ancestry and bravery. He also provides interesting facts about Coorg’s geography.
Broadly, Glimpses of India – Coorg can be divided into:
- Coorg – A Heavenly Place
- The Ancestry of the Coorgis
- The Bravery of the Coorgis
- Wildlife and Tourism in Coorg
- The Brahmagiri Hills
Coorg – A Heavenly Beauty on earth
- The author describes Coorg or Kodagu as a ‘piece of heaven’ descended from the heavenly kingdom.
- Coorg is a district of Karnataka known for its evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations.å
- The best time to visit this ‘land of rolling hills’ or hill station, is from September to March.
- The inhabitants of Coorg, the Coorgis or Kodavus, are known to be fiercely independent.
The Ancestry of the Coorgis
- There are multiple stories surrounding the ancestry of the Coorgis.
- According to one story, they are descended from the Greeks.
- When Alexander invaded India, a part of his army travelled to South India. However, they couldn’t make the return journey due to the impossible terrain.
- Thus, they settled in what is now known as Coorg and mingled with the locals adopting their culture, food and traditions.
- Another story surmises possible Arab descent based on the kuppia or the long, black coat worn by the Coorgis. This coat resembles the Arabic garment, kuffia.
The Bravery of the Coorgis
- The Coorgis are also known for their hospitality and bravery. They are always ready to narrate tales of bravery related to their sons and fathers.
- Moreover, the Coorg Regiment has garnered the highest number of honours in the history of the Indian Army.
- Plus, General Cariappa, a Coorgi, was the first Chief of the Indian Army.
- Till date, Coorgis are the only people in India allowed to carry firearms without a licence.
Wildlife and Tourism in Coorg
- The hills and forests of Coorg replenish the River Kaveri.
- These hills are also home to Mahaseer or large freshwater fish. Kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, and elephants also abound here.
- Coorg also offers different adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rock and mountain climbing, and rappelling or rope climbing down hills.
- These offerings would entice even the most relaxed of people, tempting them with a spirit of adventure.
- One can also trek the mountains in the company of birds, bees and butterflies, with macaques, squirrels and langurs watching them from trees.
The Brahmagiri Hills
- Finally, the author talks about the climb to Brahmagiri hills, which provides a scenic view of Coorg and the land surrounding it.
- From there, a walk across the rope bridge would bring trekkers to the island of Nisargadhama where they can meet monks from the nearby monastery.
- Coorg, the author says, is full of attractive surprises for any visitor looking for the ‘heart and soul’ of India.
Theme
The main themes of this chapter are:
- Valour
- Nature
Valour
- The author presents several examples to demonstrate the valour or bravery of the Coorgis.
- He describes the men of Coorg as ‘martial’ or warlike, meaning brave and unafraid of war.
- He further develops this theme by mentioning how proudly Coorgis share ‘tales of valour’, that is, stories of bravery, related to their fathers and sons.
- He also notes that the Coorg Regiment is one of the most respected regiments in the Indian Army.
- Lastly, he informs readers that the first chief of the Indian Army, General Carriappa, hailed from Coorg.
Nature
- The author gives us a glimpse of Coorg’s natural beauty and resources in the story.
- He mentions that Coorg is abundant in rainforests and hills which provide water to the Kaveri every monsoon.
- The hills and forests also house many animals such as the Mahaseer, langurs, squirrels, and elephants.
- Additionally, the Brahmagiri hills provide tourists with picture-perfect views of Coorg and enable them to experience Coorg’s natural beauty.
- The author’s use of phrases such as ‘land of rolling hills’ and ‘tree canopies’ conjures up vivid images of Coorg, and further highlights its natural beauty.
Character Sketch
The major characters in this chapter are:
- The Coorgis
- The Author
The Coorgis
The inhabitants of Coorg are known as the Coorgis or the Kodavus.
Diverse: The author traces the influence of two different cultures, Greek and Arabic, on the Coorgis. This indicates that they are a diverse group of people.
Independent: According to the author, the Coorgis are ‘fiercely independent’. This independence is reflected in their marriage and religious rites which are separate from ‘mainstream’ or traditional Hinduism.
Proud: The author suggests that the people of Coorg take great pride in one another’s achievements. That’s why Coorgi households are ever ready to report ‘tales of valour’ related to their family members.3 of 3
The Author
Lokesh Abrol is the author of this story.
Nature lover: Abrol’s love for nature is evident in the fondness and enthusiasm with which he describes Coorg’s natural beauty, landscape and wildlife.
Knowledgeable: Abrol provides interesting details about various aspects of Coorgi society. These aspects include the ancestry of the Coorgis, as well as the attractions Coorg offers. This signifies that he is a well-informed and knowledgeable individual.
