gyanartha 2015 finals
TRANSCRIPT
Finals
Rounds
Clockwise (17)
Written (6)
Reverse (17)
Clockwise (Swaraj) Round!
Rules
17 questions
Infinite pounce
+10 on pass, +10/-5 on pounce
Write answer, be careful, specific, will be
strict!
Raise hand
Wait for God (refer to prelims instructions)
Madras rules for bounce…
Ready, Steady, Go!
Question
X was born because of a boon that his parents got
by praying at Y. Later, the story goes that none of
the Namboodiri families in the region helped X in
a certain ritual, whereas another says that two
families actually helped. For the role that they
played, they were named the Kapilli and
Talayuttupilli manas. X, Y and how did these two
manas help?
01
01
Adi Shankara
Vadakkumnathan Temple
helped cremate his mother, one
supported her head and the
other her feet
Question The males of the common side-blotched lizard from the
Pacific Northwest come in 3 colours and follow a peculiar
mating strategy. Orange-throated males (strongest) fight
the blue-throated for mates. The blues can’t compete
against the oranges but form strong pair bonds and defend
against the yellows. The yellows are smallest, but
coloured like the orange females and can approach them
for mating. What is this strategy informally called by the
biologists who study this creature?
02
02
Rock Paper Scissors
Question
The people you see in the pictures/posters [next
slide] have actually donned a costume to avoid
something. Who/why?
03
03
03
Black entertainers/priests who
would dress up as Indian
rajahs/magicians because they
wouldn’t be discriminated
against if they were seen to be
foreigners
Question In the words of Mala Mukerjee: “I was so excited by
what was happening on the field that I didn’t realise I
was clicking and clicking and it was only when I got
home and developed the rolls that I realised what I
had got. And it was only after I saw the match
pictures in the various papers the next day that I
realised that I had got that once-in-a-lifetime shot.”
What shot, which turned out to be the only one of
the historic moment?
04
01
Question
Some of X’s works such as String Quartet in B-flat
Major, Op. 130 and Piano Sonata in A-flat major,
Op. 110 are unusual and contain unexpected
changes of pace and keys and other arrhythmic
patterns. In a way, this is similar to how these
paintings are unusual and unexpected. What
similar reasons explain all these works?
05
01
05
Works influenced by creators’
illnesses:
Beethoven – cardiac arrhythmia
Monet – cataract
Question
The visa in the picture
(and others like it) has
been cancelled. Why?
06
06
Greece refuses to recognize that
the former Yugoslav republic of
Macedonia and cancels visas they
issue.
Question
Connect the 5(!!!) clips!
[This clip is 4 minutes long. If you ask us to play it
again, you will be disqualified.]
07
The band in all the songs is the
same, a 60s-70s popular Anglo-
Indian Bombay club band called
‘Ted Lyons and the Cubs’. They’d
be pulled in for many Bollywood
club scenes.
07
Question
For Monopoly’s 80th anniversary, maker Hasbro is
producing versions of the board game with a
twist. They came up with the idea after a survey
in which they asked customers what they would
like to see most in their Monopoly sets. How are
these versions different?
08
08 real money!
Question
Hercules was originally supposed to only do 10
labours for Eurystheus, but ended up doing 12
because two of them were not counted. They
were the slaying of the Hydra, and the cleaning of
the Augean stables. Why were these not counted?
09
09
Hydra – he received help (from
his nephew)
stables – he received payment
Audience Q
Score Check!
Audience Question
Over the last few weeks, the new Greek
government has been trying to get its European
creditors to cut it some slack. Their last offer was
rejected by the German government, and a
leaked letter compared the offer to a “____
____”, a much used phrase which represents
Greek cunning and treachery. FITB.
A1
Trojan Horse A1
Audience Question
The precursor to the modern version is mentioned
in several ancient works. Before 1250, there are
references to various pulses, but no reference to
fermentation or steaming. It is speculated that
the modern form was invented in Indonesia,
which has a long tradition of fermented food, and
brought back by Indian cooks. What dish?
A2
idli A2
Score Check!
Question
This unprecedented recognition was given in
1998. Who was the recipient? What was his/her
achievement? And why was this exception made?
10
01
10
To Andrew Wiles for
proving Fermat’s
Last Theorem. The
exception was
because he had just
turned 40, and was
ineligible for the
Fields Medal, but the
IMU could not ignore
his achievement.
Question
What is Yubitsume?
Why is the person doing the Yubitsume ritual
typically made to do it to the smallest X?
11
Yubitsume is the Yakuza act of
atonement by cutting one’s little
finger. In Japanese swordsmanship,
the little finger’s grip is tightest on
the hilt. By cutting it off, you’re
reducing your ability and becoming
more dependent on your master.
11
Question
Nizam’s of Calcutta originally used iron skewers
to make their kababs as the skewers were easy to
maintain and lasted a lifetime. As they grew in
popularity, the long heavy skewers started
becoming a problem; far more were required than
could be handled. In 1964 they replaced them
with something, which lends its name to certain
dishes. What name/dishes?
12
Kati rolls 12
Question When asked about why he did not get credit for
something, this person said that he had opined that,
with respect to The Exorcist, Mercedes McCambridge
didn’t deserve credit because “…she was just special
effects…”, it would be hypocritical of him to take
credit for a similar contribution. Eventually, he says,
“…for the third one, I said OK, I’ll let them put my
name on it.”
Who about what?
13
James Earl Jones for Darth
Vader’s voice
13
Question
What is the inspiration for this music video?
14
14 The Usual Suspects
Question
German intelligence ran an espionage campaign
in Britain during WW2, but many agents were
captured and some were offered the chance to
turn against Germany and spread disinformation
back to their agencies. These operations were
overseen by the Twenty Committee. What is the
reason for this name?
15
Twenty in Roman numerals is
“XX”, or “double cross” which
is what the agents were doing
15
Question
The most popular legend associated with its origin
involves a slippage as the Countess of Salisbury was
dancing with King Edward III, what must be one of the
earliest recorded “wardrobe malfunctions”. Or it may
be from the practice of using something as a fastener
for armour. At any rate, it has been around since the
mid 14th century, and its motto is “Shamed be the
person who thinks evil of it.” What?
16
16 Order of the Garter
Question
In Rushdie’s “Moor’s Last Sigh”, there are two
acknowledgements for borrowing verbatim from
other works. One is an excerpt from a 1955 novel,
which is used to describe the scene and town to
which Moraes Zogoiby goes and listens to Gandhi
speak. The second is not text, but an illustration.
Identify the novel and the illustration.
17
17 Waiting for the Mahatma
Common Man (aka aam aadmi?)
Score Check!
Write, Brothers and Sisters
Rules
6 questions
4/6 points per (depends on question)
That’s all
Question – 6 points
Below are the old (1921 – 1937) and new flags of
Liechtenstein. The change was done in 1937
because in 1936 it was discovered that the flag
was identical to that of another country. Which
country? How did the discovery happen?
W1
Question – 4 points
The term “B & T” crowd refers to people who
make trips to Manhattan from other boroughs of
New York City and elsewhere. It is a disparaging
neologism about the manner in which they get to
Manhattan. Also applicable to weekend party-
goers who visit San Francisco from out of town.
What does “B & T” stand for?
W2
Question – 4 points
Only two states/UTs in India have a Muslim
majority in terms of population. One is Jammu &
Kashmir. Which is the other?
W3
Question – 6 points
What are these people trying to do? What is the
background music?
W4
Question – 4 points When the front man was asked about the meaning of the
band's name, he said: “We were sitting down and came up
with a phrase that we felt particularly connected to, but
we didn't want to call the band that. It just didn't flow
right. We ended up rearranging the letters and did an
anagram...a lot of people think it's a drug reference.”
Reynolds said everything from “Aged Mens' Radio” to
“Gemini is So Grand” have been suggested by fans, but
they'll keep everyone guessing as to what the meaning of
the band's name really is. Which band?
W5
Question – 4 points
It has been “performed” since 1959 with varying
levels of intensity, reflecting the larger
environment. Regarding the 2010 “toning down”,
spokesman Nadim Raza said “…we will only
change the ‘fist gesture’. No thumb would be
shown and aggressive looks will be replaced with
a handshake and a smile.”
What was he referring to?
W6
Exchange Sheets
Question – 6 points
Below are the old (1921 – 1937) and new flags of
Liechtenstein. The change was done in 1937
because in 1936 it was discovered that the flag
was identical to that of another country. Which
country? How did the discovery happen?
W1
Haiti. The “clash” was discovered
during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, in
pre-internet and colour printing
days, this was one of the few ways
in which places like Haiti and
Liechtenstein could appear
together in one place.
W1
Question – 4 points
The term “B & T” crowd refers to people who
make trips to Manhattan from other boroughs of
New York City and elsewhere. It is a disparaging
neologism about the manner in which they get to
Manhattan. Also applicable to weekend party-
goers who visit San Francisco from out of town.
What does “B & T” stand for?
W2
Bridge & Tunnel
W2
Question – 4 points
Only two states/UTs in India have a Muslim
majority in terms of population. One is Jammu &
Kashmir. Which is the other?
W3
Lakshadweep
W3
Question – 6 points
What are these people trying to do? What is the
background music?
W4
Nightwatch, Ode to Joy W4
Question – 4 points When the front man was asked about the meaning of the
band's name, he said: “We were sitting down and came up
with a phrase that we felt particularly connected to, but
we didn't want to call the band that. It just didn't flow
right. We ended up rearranging the letters and did an
anagram...a lot of people think it's a drug reference.”
Reynolds said everything from “Aged Mens' Radio” to
“Gemini is So Grand” have been suggested by fans, but
they'll keep everyone guessing as to what the meaning of
the band's name really is. Which band?
W5
Imagine Dragons
W5
Question
It has been “performed” since 1959 with varying
levels of intensity, reflecting the larger
environment. Regarding the 2010 “toning down”,
spokesman Nadim Raza said “…we will only
change the ‘fist gesture’. No thumb would be
shown and aggressive looks will be replaced with
a handshake and a smile.”
What was he referring to?
W6
W6
Score Check!
Reverse (Swaraj) Round!
Rules
17 questions
Infinite bounce
+10 on pass, +10/-5 on pounce
Write answer, be careful, specific, will be
strict!
Raise hand
Wait for God (refer to prelims instructions)
Madras rules for bounce…
Question
A picture [next slide] from the medals ceremony
for the marathon event at the 1936 Berlin
Olympics. Why are the gold and bronze medalists
(Sohn Kee-chung and Nam Sung-yong) looking
unhappy/disappointed?
18
Question 18
18
They were Koreans who were
forced to participate under the
Japanese flag as Japan had
occupied the Korean peninsula.
Sohn managed to cover his
Japanese flag with the oak bush
that was part of the prize, but
Nam had nothing to hide behind.
Question
Screenplays are usually written in the “fixed
pitch” Courier New in 12 pt font size on
A4/Letter size paper with a standard line spacing.
What is the main reason behind this
standardization?
19
19 If these rules are followed,
each page of screenplay
corresponds to roughly 1
minute of screen time. It helps
producers and directors
estimate the length and
therefore budget etc. of the
proposed film.
Question Some of the supposed reasons for this are:
Historical remnant from the era of handcrafting
Improves stability and decreases the likelihood of shattering
Consolidates all the impurities at the bottom
Increases strength needed if contents are pressurised
Reduces volume and gives the impression that you are
getting more than what you actually get
Acts as a lens, refracting the light to make the colour of the
contents more appealing
20
20 Why bottles have punts
Question Britain ceded control of a certain government department
of the UAE in 1963. An American named Finbar Kenny saw
an opportunity and in 1964 signed deals with cash-
strapped Ajman and Fujairah to take a franchise for
producing something. The products themselves were on
topics such as ‘space research’ and ‘Tokyo Olympic
Games’, irrelevant to the emirates. For a time they
earned revenue, but eventually the proliferation led to
devaluation. What was the product?
21
21 postage stamps
Question
Connect and explain.
22
22 Dogs of War
Question
Either Akbar or his minister Raja Todar Mal is
supposed to have come up with this naming
scheme as part of their administrative reforms.
By combining the first letters of each pair of Xs in
question, they came up with Jech ____, Rechna
____, Bari ____ and Bist ____. Fill in the blank.
23
doab 23
Question
Connect
Lauda Air’s Vienna – Sydney – Melbourne flight
GH Hardy’s description of David Hilbert as “the
_____ _____ of mathematics”
The code words used by the Allies to signal
their attack on Monte Cassino in WW2 “____
____ will be ____ tomorrow”
24
24 Don Bradman
Question
What was
this 1927
map used for,
by a
particular
company?
25
25
Paramount Pictures issued the map
as a rough guide for showing which
parts of California could best
replicate foreign locales for
Hollywood
Question
Bengali is the national and official language of
Bangladesh and one of the official languages
recognized by India. However, since 2002, it is
also an official language of Sierra Leone.
Why?
26
In honour of the UN
peacekeeping forces from
Bangladesh who served there
26
Audience Q
Score Check!
Audience Question
In Instagram parlance, who is a “K”?
A1
Users with > 10,000 followers
where the 000s portion gets
replaced by a “K”
A1
Audience Question
Twice a year (once around April), the Trivandrum
airport issues a notice to airmen (NOTAM) and
shuts down operations for about 5 hours for a
particular reason, and it is probably the only
airport in the world which does so. This has been
happening for decades. What is the reason?
A2
The arat procession of Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple A2
Score Check!
Question
Clip from a documentary about an app named
“Mobilizing the _____ _____”. FITB. What is the
app for? Which country?
27
27 12th Man, for cheering in stadium
while watching on TV, Tunisia
Question
The alliteratively named “____’s ____ Chile” was
set up in 2013 as a “fully self-sustaining
community” that would enable individualistic
immigrants with money to renounce “the
oppression of the over-regulated, over-taxed,
war-riddled and welfare-riddled society”. Fill in
the first blank, with a name we would associate
with a repeatedly posed question from fiction.
28
28
Galt
of
“Who is John Galt?” fame
Question
ID the two men. How
did this meeting break a
tradition/precedent?
29
29
Mountbatten and Wavell
Previously, and outgoing and incoming
viceroy would never be in India at the
same time or meet in India, these
guys had to because of partition etc.
Question
If GPS is turned off or unavailable on your Android
phone and you fire up Google Maps, it sometimes
puts the location marker in this unexpected
place. Why?
30
30
30 It’s the place where the Equator
and Prime Meridian meet, the
“origin” of the Terrestrial
Coordinate System
4 more to go…
Score Check?
Question
Many Japanese corporations’ offices have a room
called the “boredom room”, which is used by HR
departments especially during certain phases of
business cycles as a tactic to get around the
social taboos against a corporate practice is
prevalent in other parts of the world. What is a
“boredom room” used for?
31
31 For layoffs/firings. Because
labour laws and social taboos
don’t allow firing, employees
are sent to vegetate doing
mindless work in “boredom
rooms” in the hope that they
will get bored/ashamed and
quit on their own.
Question
The position of the Apostolic Preacher is part of
the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus of
the Holy See. It was established in 1555 and since
1753, the office is reserved exclusively for
individuals of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor.
What duties does the Apostolic Preacher have to
perform?
32
Someone has to preach to the
Pope, perform confession
etc., since the Pope is
Catholic!
32
Question
ID the raagam.
This song was written by Aman Ali Khan of the
Bhendi Bazaar gharaana who borrowed the tune
from another famous composition, and pays a
specific tribute to the original. How?
33
33
Hamsadhwani
Based on Vaataapi Ganapatim
There is a “…lagan pati…” in
the same position as
“Ganapati” in the original
One More Question…
Thanks, thanks, thanks
Content help
Anil Kumar K.
Priyambad Pattanayak
Nitish Khadiya
Diwakar Pingle
@choultry / [email protected]
Question
The _____ Manuscript Project is an effort to
digitize some 90,000 pages of work from the
1800s. Of the 26,000 completed so far, 57 are his
children’s drawings, of which 9 are on the back of
the manuscript of X. The drawings exhibit
enthusiasm and an eye for detail. Fill in the
blank.
34
01
01
34 Darwin
Nanni Namaskaaram!