All of my fond memories in some way or the other lead back to Coorg. The monsoons, the labourers picking coffee, or just ambling around in the estate are examples.

Coorg, called the ‘Scotland of India’ by many, is the place I proudly call home. Growing up on a plantation is a blessing that not many are fortunate to have.

A Walk through a Plantation!

Running around amongst lush greenery, and riding a bicycle in the coffee estate during irrigation for the sheer pleasure of getting wet and dirty in the slush are definitely among my most favourite memories.

I recall waiting and praying school would be called off due to the downpour, so that I could stay indoors doing nothing, but watching the rain, and peddling off into the coffee estate and paddy fields the minute the clock struck 4.

I have memories of calling up my maternal grandmother whom I call ‘avva’ to ask for tender coconut and to complain about my mother shouting at me (despite knowing I was wrong when I was yelled at), just to hear her pampering words.

Each mango season, I can’t help but ask my mother for wild mangoes that everyone around calls ‘doddi mange’. I drag the household helpers to pick the ‘fallen delicacies’ to relish as many as possible, so as to compete with my mother; tell her I had a mango or two more than her by the end of the day.

I very fondly recall how eagerly I would await my two best friends who would come over and spend a day or two at my place before I went over to theirs, going to the river which we called our ‘beach’ to play in the sand and water. We used to call all the people working in the estate to play football or cricket with us, and ride our bicycles trying to do stunts as we rode over roots ‘peeping’ out of the soil and slopes in the estate.

Other fond memories I have are of the weddings my mother would take me to, with me dithering about attending, depending upon the number of children who would be there to play with. A game of ‘Hide and seek’ would be the general form of entertainment!


Coorg is the one place I will always return to. Absolutely anyone would find it easy to call it home as it doesn’t take a person long to get used to the air Coorg has and its lazy and soothing lifestyle. When people ask me where I’m from, I say, “I’m Arjun Madaiah, and I’m a Coorgi” with all the pride in my guts. Coorg is what I would call paradise as no other word sums up my homeland better.

Having grown up in a place like that, I know for a fact that I’m blessed. Truly blessed, for sure! And the pride one has in writing about where he or she hails from is indeed immense. Boasting about its beauty only feels better!

A Gurgling Stream: Destination Coorg

Arjun Madaiah

I’m Arjun Madaiah, an 18-year old currently pursuing a career in design at Coimbatore. Being a Kodava brought up in Coorg, I have great value and regard for Kodava culture and traditions. My fondest memories are those of growing up on plantations, with my mother being my pillar of support. Besides design, my passion lies in photography and music.