II. Coorg

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Thinking about the Text

1. Where is Coorg?
Answer: Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is located midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer: There are two theories about the Kodavu people’s descent. One story says that a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there when they couldn’t return. These people married the locals, and their culture is reflected in their martial traditions and religious rites. The other theory is that they are of Arabic descent, which is supported by the ‘kuppia,’ a long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt that they wear, which resembles the ‘kuffia’ worn by Arabs.

3. What are some of the things you now know about

(i) the people of Coorg?
Answer: The people of Coorg are fiercely independent and are believed to be of Greek or Arabic descent. They are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They have a tradition of hospitality and are known for their courage. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army.

(ii) the main crop of Coorg?
Answer: The main crop of Coorg is coffee. The air is filled with the smell of invigorating coffee from the plantations and colonial bungalows tucked under tree canopies.

(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
Answer: Coorg offers a variety of high-energy adventure sports, including river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking. There are also numerous walking trails for trekkers.

(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
Answer: In Coorg, you are likely to see Mahaseer (a large freshwater fish), kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, elephants, birds, bees, butterflies, macaques, and slender loris.

(v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Answer: Coorg is about 250-260 km from Bangalore. The most frequented way to get there is by road via Mysore. The nearest airports are Mangalore and Bangalore, and the nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan.

4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics.

Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)
Answer: pours enough to keep many visitors away

(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3)
Answer: a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here

(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4)
Answer: recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers

(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)
Answer: The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure

(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)
Answer: The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus

(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7)
Answer: keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy

Thinking about Language

1. Here are some nouns from the text.
culture, monks, surprise, experience, weather, tradition

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.
unique, terrible, unforgettable, serious, ancient, wide, sudden

• (i) culture: unique culture, ancient culture
• (ii) monks: serious monks
• (iii) surprise: sudden surprise
• (iv) experience: unforgettable experience, terrible experience, unique experience
• (v) weather: terrible weather, serious weather
• (vi) tradition: ancient tradition

2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

• (i) tales of valour (stories of)
• (ii) coastal town (coastal city)
• (iii) a piece of heaven (a piece of land)
• (iv) evergreen rainforests (evergreen trees)
• (v) coffee plantations (tea plantations)
• (vi) rope bridge (steel bridge)
• (vii) wild creatures (wild animals)
• (viii) river rafting (river boating)