1. Prelims
•25 Qs Prelims
•Odd numbers Qs will be used for ties
•No part points anywhere. If the Q asks two things, one has to
get both to get points.
•Top 6 teams in final
•Scores of the prelim to be carried to the final

2. 1
Johannes Brahms was a close friend and admirer of this popular
musician - X. The anecdote goes that when they met for the 1st
time with their families, X’s wife approached Brahms with a
customary request that he autograph her fan. It was usual for
the composer to inscribe a few measures of his best-known
music, and then sign his name. Brahms, however, inscribed a few
measures from X’s best known work, and then wrote beneath it:
"Unfortunately, NOT by Johannes Brahms”. Id X?

3. 2
a) Every FA cup final since 1927
b) Every Rugby League Challenge Cup final since 1929 &
c) Apr 25 every year in Australia & NZ
There is an Indian connection to this list because of all people –
Gandhiji. Which date?

4. 3
For a game (as in the modern version) that’s supposedly
originated in India....one would think it would be common in
India. It's not. Though Kolkata (where else!) does have oldest
club dedicated to this sport in the world. So the task is to id the
only head of state (used in a broad & historical context) who
died while playing this sport (not necessarily the modern
version)?

5. 4
The renovated Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel’s heritage wing, after
the 26/11 attack, was reopened on 15/8/10 with some new
suites. One of the suite is named after a living person – only
person to have received this honor. This is because this person
stayed in that suite(then a luxury room) to do something
particular. What did this person do?

6. 5
His books were quite popular
during his lifetime (and still
are), but a rumor had circulated
that his name was merely a
pseudonym, and the books' true
author was the man to whom he
had dedicated most of his works -
his patron the Earl of Derby. The
frustrated author dispelled this
rumor in many public forums (e.g.
the attached cartoon), but the
rumor never died down during his
lifetime. Who?

7. 6
Optical lens takes it’s name from this food item – whose Latin
name is Lens Culinaris. India is the world’s largest producer of
this food. Which food item?

8. 7
Some Cast Details
Written by : X & Shyam Benegal
Screenplay : Vijay Tendulkar
Dialogue : Kaifi Azmi
Id X?

9. 8
When Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, the assassination
attempt was unsuccessful, largely due to the prompt medical
attention and the quick surgery conducted. When First Lady
Nancy Reagan arrived in the emergency room, he famously
remarked to her, "Honey, I forgot to duck." Reagan borrowed
this line from a famous sportsman, who had said this to his wife
many years ago. Explain the context?

10. 9
During the years 1919 to 1932, the distribution and
consumption of alcoholic beverages was forbidden in Finland.
When the prohibition was lifted by the Finnish government in
1932 following a referendum, Govt. created a company called
Oy Alkoholiliike Ab. This company which later became famous
for mass producing Molotov cocktails, opened it’s 1st store on
5th April, 1932 at a specific time for a certain reason. What
time & reason?

12. 11
BenHur was nominated for 12 oscars & won 11. The solo miss was
in “ best writing-screenplay based on material from another
medium”. The screen play was originally written by Karl
Tunberg, but the producer Sam Zimbalist got in Christofer Fry & X
to re-write it. Zimbalist died before the movie ended & in the
process Fry & X went uncredited. This lead to a dispute, which the
Writer’s Guild settled in the favor of the original writer – Tunberg.
This lead a strong public protest by X; which many claim was the
reason that BenHur did not get the screenplay Oscar. Id X?

13. 12
How did the Bihari, whose bust you see on the left in his
birthplace, immortalize the river on the right (at least by some
popular accounts)?

14. 13
On March 1st, 2010, Mayor Bill Bunten of Topeka Kansas, issued
a proclamation changing the name Topeka for a month, to
something else, to garner publicity. This lead to something a
month later, which lasted for a day. What?

15. 14 What two words connects these paintings ( non – exh)

16. 15
According to an article in ET in Feb, this is the largest e-
Commerce site in India with about ½ million transactions per
day, garnering about $160 M, last year. Which website?

17. 16
A collaboration between two
men of artistic temperament –
lead to this sculpture called
“Blood Relations”.
Id both?

18. 17
Erik Axel Karlfeldt was the 1st & an American, last year, was
the latest in the list. William Vickrey is somewhere in
between. Who is the only other person in this list?

19. 18
The city of Benaras is at the confluence (or sorts) of three
rivers - Ganga being the dominant one & the other two its
tributaries. Name both?

20. 19
According to an 11th century Korean chronicle, Samguk
Yusa, the wife of King Suro of the ancient Korean kingdom of
Geumgwan travelled by boat to a faraway Buddhist center in
48 AD. Historians were initially of the view that this place was
in Thailand, but now there is a consensus that it is in India – a
town also known in ancient times as Saketa. Recently it was
announced by the local state & Korean government that a
statue of this princess will be erected on the banks of the
river adjoining the town. This town is very famous, but not
for necessarily for Buddhism. Which town?

21. 20
On 26th Jan, this
year, this airline on it’s
flights to Delhi, had it’s
on-air staff pay tribute
to India’s republic day.
They danced to the
tune of Om Shanti Om
(apt!) in flight. Id this
airline, whose staff sang
& danced on air. The
you-tube video of this
approach has gone viral.

22. 21
This English word (a noun) comes from a Portuguese
word, which now has a very strong Japanese connotation. The
Portuguese word itself is derived from a Malayalam or Tamil
word. The word in 18th century also became a verb meaning to
pickle due to commerce between India & USA. What’s the good
word?

23. 22
In the 1667 treaty of Brenda, England & country X called truce to
their spice wars. Among other things agreed upon in the
treaty, one island – Run, in Banda islands in Indonesia, was
agreed to be left with X who had occupied it from the Brits
before & similarly Brits were allowed to keep another island - Y
which they had wrested from X. Id X &Y?

24. 23
The epitaph on the grave of this son of Nawab of Arcot lists that
his 1st movie was on the theme of untouchability & his last movie
on the theme of polio vaccination, which was directed by son. Id
this director (son)?

25. 24
On March 4th, 1960, a French freighter La Coubre exploded
(allegedly by CIA) in Havana port, killing 100s of Cubans. A
doctor who was at the port at that time, rushed out & helped
as many victims, as he could. The next day, the doctor also took
part in the memorial service & demonstration called by Castro.
In the ceremony, Alberto Korda, a member of Castro’s staff
immortalized this doctor in what way?

26. 25
No contemporary pictures of his survive.
Some portraits that are supposed to be his
are now regarded to be later interpretations
of what he looked like. Historians now
agree that the only possible contemporary
iconography is a statue supposedly erected
by his fellow citizens some years after his
death. This statue was later removed and
again after many years later was put back in
it’s original location - Camposanto
Monumentale – within walking distance
from the Leaning tower of Pisa. Whose
statue?

27. ANSWERS

28. 1
Johannes Brahms was a close friend and admirer of this popular
musician - X. The anecdote goes that when they met for the 1st
time with their families, X’s wife approached Brahms with a
customary request that he autograph her fan. It was usual for
the composer to inscribe a few measures of his best-known
music, and then sign his name. Brahms, however, inscribed a few
measures from X’s best known work, and then wrote beneath it:
"Unfortunately, NOT by Johannes Brahms”. Id X?
Johann Strauss the younger

29. 2
a) Every FA cup final since 1927
b) Every Rugby League Challenge Cup final since 1929 &
c) Apr 25 every year in Australia & NZ
There is an Indian connection to this list because of all people –
Gandhiji. Which date?
Jan 29 – Beating Retreat ends with
“Abide with me” coz Bapu loved the
song. The sports events & Anzac day
listed also always play this song

30. 3
For a game (as in the modern version) that’s supposedly
originated in India....one would think it would be common in
India. It's not. Though Kolkata (where else!) does have oldest
club dedicated to this sport in the world. So the task is to id the
only head of state (used in a broad & historical context) who
died while playing this sport (not necessarily the modern
version)?
Qutubuddin Aibak. Died while
playing polo ( Persian version).
Modern polo is originated from
Manipur polo game – salol kangjei

31. 4
The renovated Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel’s heritage wing, after
the 26/11 attack, was reopened on 15/8/10 with some new
suites. One of the suite is named after a living person – only
person to have received this honor. This is because this person
stayed in that suite(then a luxury room) to do something
particular. What did this person do?
Ravi Shankar…who
taught Sitar to the
Beatles

32. 5
His books were quite popular during his lifetime (and still are), but a rumor had
circulated that his name was merely a pseudonym, and the books' true author
was the man to whom he had dedicated most of his works - his patron the Earl
of Derby. The frustrated author dispelled this rumor in many public forums (e.g.
the attached cartoon), but the rumor never died down during his lifetime. Who?
Edward Lear. Supporters of this rumour
offered as evidence the facts that both men
were named Edward, and that "Lear" is an
anagram of "Earl".

33. 6
Optical lens takes it’s name from this food item – whose Latin
name is Lens Culinaris. India is the world’s largest producer of
this food. Which food item?
Lentils

34. 7
Some Cast Details
Written by : X & Shyam Benegal
Screenplay : Vijay Tendulkar
Dialogue : Kaifi Azmi
Id X?
V. Kurien

35. 8
When Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, the assassination
attempt was unsuccessful, largely due to the prompt medical
attention and the quick surgery conducted. When First Lady
Nancy Reagan arrived in the emergency room, he famously
remarked to her, "Honey, I forgot to duck." Reagan borrowed
this line from a famous sportsman, who had said this to his wife
many years ago. Explain the context?
Jack Demsey said this to his
wife, after losing 1st time to
Gene Tunney

36. 9
During the years 1919 to 1932, the distribution and
consumption of alcoholic beverages was forbidden in Finland.
When the prohibition was lifted by the Finnish government in
1932 following a referendum, Govt. created a company called
Oy Alkoholiliike Ab. This company which later became famous
for mass producing Molotov cocktails, opened it’s 1st store on
5th April, 1932 at a specific time for a certain reason. What
time & reason?
10am. So that the date and time form the
number 543210

38. 11
BenHur was nominated for 12 oscars & won 11. The solo miss was
in “ best writing-screenplay based on material from another
medium”. The screen play was originally written by Karl
Tunberg, but the producer Sam Zimbalist got in Christofer Fry & X
to re-write it. Zimbalist died before the movie ended & in the
process Fry & X went uncredited. This lead to a dispute, which the
Writer’s Guild settled in the favor of the original writer – Tunberg.
This lead a strong public protest by X; which many claim was the
reason that BenHur did not get the screenplay Oscar. Id X?
Gore Vidal

39. 12
How did the Bihari, whose bust you see on the left in his
birthplace, immortalize the river on the right (at least by some
popular accounts)?
Eric Arthur Blair, born in Motihari, Bihar, by some, took
the name Orwell from his favorite River Orwell in Suffolk

40. 13
On March 1st, 2010, Mayor Bill Bunten of Topeka Kansas, issued
a proclamation changing the name Topeka for a month, to
something else, to garner publicity. This lead to something a
month later, which lasted for a day. What?
Google has a tradition of playing a April Fool’s prank on
1st April every year. Topeka, an obscure town decided to
get publicity, by formally changing it’s name to Google
for the month. Google responded by changing it’s name
to Topeka for a day on Apr 1st.

41. 14 Self Portraits
P. Gaugin F. Kahlo
Titian
N. Rockwell
Rapheal E. Degas

42. 15
According to an article in ET in Feb, which is the largest e-
Commerce site in India with about ½ million transactions per
day, garnering about $160 M, last year. Which website?
Irctc : Indian railways website

43. 16
A collaboration between two
men of artistic temperament –
lead to this sculpture called
“Blood Relations”.
Id both?
Anish Kapoor & Salman Rushdie

44. 17
Erik Axel Karlfeldt was the 1st & an American, last year, was
the latest in the list. William Vickrey is somewhere in
between. Who is the only other person in this list?
Dag Hammerskjold. Only folks to win
Nobel, posthumously.

45. 18
The city of Benaras is at the confluence (or sorts) of three
rivers - Ganga being the dominant one & the other two its
tributaries. Name both?
Varuna & Assi > Varanasi

46. 19
According to an 11th century Korean chronicle, Samguk
Yusa, the wife of King Suro of the ancient Korean kingdom of
Geumgwan travelled by boat to a faraway Buddhist center in
48 AD. Historians were initially of the view that this place was
in Thailand, but now there is a consensus that it is in India – a
town also known in ancient times as Saketa. Recently it was
announced by the local state & Korean government that a
statue of this princess will be erected on the banks of the
river adjoining the town. This town is very famous, but not
for necessarily for Buddhism. Which town?
Ayodhya

47. 20
On 26th Jan, this
year, this airline on it’s
flights to Delhi, had it’s
on-air staff pay tribute
to India’s republic day.
They danced to the
tune of Om Shanti Om
(apt!) in flight. Id this
airline, whose staff sang
& danced on air. The
you-tube video of this
approach has gone viral.
Finnair

48. 21
This English word (a noun) comes from a Portuguese
word, which now has a very strong Japanese connotation. The
Portuguese word itself is derived from a Malayalam or Tamil
word. The word in 18th century also became a verb meaning to
pickle due to commerce between India & USA. What’s the good
word?
Mango from Manga ( Portuguese), which itself is from
Mangai (Tamil) or Manna (Mallu)

49. 22
In the 1667 treaty of Brenda, England & country X called truce to
their over spice wars. Among other things agreed upon in the
treaty, one island – Run, in Banda islands in Indonesia, was
agreed to be left with X who had occupied it from the Brits
before & similarly Brits were allowed to keep another island - Y
which they had wrested from X. Id X &Y?
Dutch / New Amsterdam = New York

50. 23
The epitaph on the grave of this son of Nawab of Arcot lists that
his 1st movie was on the theme of untouchability & his last movie
on the theme of polio vaccination, which was directed by son. Id
this director (son)?
Mehmood

51. 24
On March 4th, 1960, a French freighter La Coubre exploded
(allegedly by CIA) in Havana port, killing 100s of Cubans. A
doctor who was at the port at that time, rushed out & helped
as many victims, as he could. The next day, the doctor also took
part in memorial service & demonstration called by Castro. In
the ceremony, Alberto Korda, a member of Castro’s staff
immortalized this doctor in what way?
Korda clicked Doctor Che…..and…

52. 25
No contemporary pictures of his survive.
Some portraits that are supposed to be his
are now regarded to be later interpretations
of what he looked like. Historians now
agree that the only possible contemporary
iconography is a statue supposedly erected
by his fellow citizens some years after his
death. This statue was later removed and
again after many years later was put back in
it’s original location - Camposanto
Monumentale – within walking distance
from the Leaning tower of Pisa. Whose
statue?
Fibonacchi