This is an archive of past discussions about Wikipedia:WikiProject India. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current main page.
Name the sage who reportedly drank Ganga (when she came down at the call of Bhagirath). However, the sage later let Ganga leave through his ear.--Dwaipayan (talk) 15:52, 5 May 2006 (UTC)
Famous writers are known to change/re-write some parts of classic stories to make it more interesting/relevant/palatable to their own times. Name the major change to the plot devices of Valmiki's Ramayana and Vyasa's story of Sakuntala (as narrated in Mahabharata) as done by Tulsidas and Kalidas. Hindu Mythology again, in some sense. --Gurubrahma02:40, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
No idea abt Tulasidas, but in abhijnaanashaakuntalam, the ring story--that Dushyanta would remember Shakuntala if she showed the ring, the "abhijnaanam"-signal/reminder --that was put in by Kalidaasan. the whole ring episode, that a way out of the curse would be a reminder, the loss of ring, the recovery. In the rootstory, Shakuntala comes, King rejects her, then a voice is heard from the air, saying, this woman is saying truth. Another change is, In original, Shakunatala comes with the child, but in K's version, she's only pregnant with child. And, the two constant companions, Anasooya and Priyamvada, were created by Kalidas. And he romanticised a lot, infusing a lot of masala, I guess. Kalidasa shakuntalam is a masterpiece. "Poetry should be like Kalidas's shakunatalam, in it the fourth ankam, in it the four verses".. Pournami06:14, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
Yeah Pournami, you're right, the Durvasa curse was an insertion by Kalidas. I thought that Tulsidas's plot device would be got first, as it is much easier. Anyways, I'll use my discretion as to who to award it to, after I get that answer as well, as I was looking for both the answers. --Gurubrahma08:39, 6 May 2006 (UTC)
I am getting worried, ppl. Where is the answer for the second part of the question? A hint - think about double roles in films. --Gurubrahma08:40, 9 May 2006 (UTC)
Yup, Tulsidas is credited with the concept of Maya Sita. That was what I was looking for. Equal credit to both Pournami and Samir. The early bird gets the worm - whoever can get to asking the question first between you two, please do so. --Gurubrahma04:24, 10 May 2006 (UTC)
Operation Shakti was India's nuclear prog and On May 11, 1998, defence research chief A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was in Pokhran wearing battle fatigues, masquerading as Major-General Prithviraj. His colleague and chief of the Department of Atomic Energy, R. Chidambaram, was playing his own part in India's nuclear play, acting as Major-General Natraj. per [1]--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|)09:07, 10 May 2006 (UTC)
Hint: The last 2 initials (DK) also stand for the name of a popular Indian actor born in 1922, who also changed his name from his birth name (isn't that confusing).--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|)05:58, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
This sitter turns out to be tougher than you think. I've been thinking on this and searching for an hour and I've turned up nothing. Hints, please.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|)16:07, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Think in terms of what brought these two into limelight, or breakthrough acts, if you may. While thinking of the question, especially wrt the former, do remember that it is an India Quiz. I believe it appears to be a sitter once it is cracked, also I doubt if it can be googled. --Gurubrahma16:56, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
<evil grin> Nope. If you get the answer, you will easily be able to tell how. Also, another big hint - I said "connect", not "what is common between". --Gurubrahma17:41, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Ti developed the transistor radio, and maybe Shabana Azmi had her first breakthrough, into drama and acting, through a radio show. Far fetched though, and hardly related to India.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|)18:48, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Shabana Azmi is an actor associated to what was called the Indian New Wave cinema. Texas Instruments along with other companies started the IT Industry in Bangalore creating a new wave in india ;) --hydkat19:18, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Texas Instruments India in July 1998 announced the first digital signal processor designed and developed wholly in India. It was code named Ankoor[2]. Shabana Azmi's breakthrough film was Ankur in 1974. -- Samir(the scope)धर्म22:14, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Yup, good show, Samir. Ankur was indeed what I was looking for and TI named it Ankur, rather than Ankoor, AFAIK (Google hits of 20k for the former vs. 194 for the latter - search strings, TI Ankur, TI Ankoor) [3]. And your rakshasi question was an inspiration. The baton passes to you. --Gurubrahma06:12, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
I'm not sure I understand the question fully. It has two interpretations - first is to find similarities between London and Karna, second is to establish <= 6 degrees of separation between the WP articles on these two. I will attempt both. First, for both of them, paternity was unclear and they came up in the hard way. Second, Karna is part of an epic poetry, the Mahabharata. Herman Melville's Clarel is classified as epic poetry and was written in 1876; the same year, Jack London was born, i.e. Karna -> epic poetry -> 1876 -> Jack London, three degrees of separation. --Gurubrahma07:43, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
Perhaps I was too cryptic. Just one degree of separation needed, but the link I was thinking of is clearer than that which you've described (i.e. find something that links Jack London to Karna) -- Samir(the scope)धर्म07:47, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
I could get Arlo Guthrie and Bhima. Arlo Guthrie wrote a song Son of the Wind, which was what Bhima was. The best I could get for Karna was Jack London's The Iron Heel, since Karna was born with armour all over his body, or Burning Daylight, a reference to his father Surya.--May the Force be with you! Shreshth91($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|)03:35, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
Almost there! The Arlo Guthrie to Bhima link is correct. Use it to figure out the Jack London to Karna link. Hint: it's google searchable if you use the right string. -- Samir(the scope)धर्म04:43, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
The work "Goliah" by Jack London is about an irresistible energy weapon. Karna also had access to a similar irresistible energy weapon, The Shakti, gifted to him by Indra. --Gurubrahma04:58, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
Bullseye! Well done Tintin. Jack London had a short story (and collection of short stories) titled A Son of the Sun (here's the text [5]). Baton to you. -- Samir(the scope)धर्म05:34, 13 May 2006 (UTC)
I think it is time to invoke rule 3. However I'm afraid that Samir would ask another of his connector questions ;). --Gurubrahma09:48, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
I think it could be some war-memorial. Sadly I don't have any knowledge about the indian war hisotry, but I think I have read somewhere about a memorial for indian soldiers who died in first world war. - Aksi_great (talk) 11:52, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
You could give some clues ;) I hope it is not a trick question especially since more French people of Indian Orgin stay in Pondicherry rather than in France. Else, my answer is Villa Shanti Niwas at Garches, a suburb in France. --Gurubrahma12:26, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
Congratulations, it is Maison de l'Inde, located on the campus of Cite Universitaire (or University City). Cite Universitaire houses new University of Paris students from abroad in houses based on their country of origin to help support them when studying. Maison de l'Inde is the "House" of India. Here's the website: [6], where you can see Naseeruddin Shah's pic. Baton to you Gurubrahma, and well done! -- Samir(the scope)धर्म12:58, 14 May 2006 (UTC) and I'm done saving lives for the night and am going home to sleep
Q10
Ok, I will desist from calling this question a sitter, but it can probably be considered one. Mr. U V (U is his first name and V is his family name), on the birth of a son, approached Jawaharlal Nehru and asked him to suggest an appropriate name. Nehru suggested the name X. When Indira Gandhi got to know of this, she became livid as she wanted to name her own son X. She now named her son Y instead. However, her grandson was named X, after some years. Mean while, Mr. X V named one of his own sons as Y. The question: Name U, X, Y and V. No credit for partial answers please, so beware before giving hints to others by answering partly. --Gurubrahma13:19, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
U V = Ramkrishna Bajaj, X = Rahul, Y=Rajiv. Spent the last 15 minutes googling for Ramkrishna Bajaj's name! - Aksi_great (talk) 13:54, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
Kamalnayan Bajaj?. I think that the others have been too nice to me by not answering the question. Anyways, if I am correct, the next question will take some time as I am busy with some other stuff today. If anyone else feels like asking a question before I do, he/she can go ahead (if I am correct).- Aksi_great (talk) 20:05, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
You should have. Anyways, you can go ahead and ask the next question. I really liked your last 2 questions (how about another connector? or something to do with Indian medicine?). - Aksi_great (talk) 20:10, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
You are correct Aksi_great, it was great that no one else tried to answer. I was always surprised by the similarities between names "Rahul and Rajiv Bajaj" and "Rajiv and Rahul Gandhi" - I got to know of the story when I was reading a book by Gita Piramal. Too bad we don't have an article yet on Rahul Bajaj - any takers? I'll ask a question around 1530 IST if Aksi_great doesn't ask one by then. --Gurubrahma05:14, 15 May 2006 (UTC)
Q11
What is common between the last Nizam of Hyderabad, the defence minister of India during Sino-Indian war, the Prime Minister of India during the destruction of the disputed structure at Ayodhya and the daughter of a Bharat Ratna who composed music for the film Gandhi? --Gurubrahma16:53, 15 May 2006 (UTC)
Nope. Hint: They have all achieved something common. I didn't say "connect" ;). Hardly another 20 to 25 Indians probably would have the same honour. Writing down their names and googling may help!! --Gurubrahma04:17, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
If I get it easily, it is a sitter. else, it is not ;). I think sitter implies that I can solve it from my sitting position, without running around for doing research. --Gurubrahma06:10, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Sitter could also stand for "A quiz question that the quizmaster thinks is easy but never turns out to be one." :) - Aksi_great (talk) 06:30, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Q12
Aksi_great (who really lived up to his name today), suggested a medical question above, so the next one deals with Indian medicine. If anyone beats Dwaipayan to the answer, then you have truly accomplished a feat.
The answer goes to Gurubrahma. The answer is Kala azar (Hindi for black fever) or Dum Dum fever, also known as visceral leishmaniasis or Baghdad boil to Fox News. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection found on every populated continent except Australia that can cause severe skin symptoms, liver and spleen enlargement, and anemia. It is treated with antimony based compounds. hydkat, you were so close! I looked through all my medical sources for "Kala Hazar", but it the "H" addition to the medical term is common only in French. "Black Cholera" can be a loose translation for Kala azar, but it usually is a historical synonym for cholera. Baton to Gurubrahma, but good work to both of you! -- Samirधर्म07:21, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Q13
Sorry Hydkat, but this shd be easy for you. There are museums and museums, but this museum is unique because most of the exhibits were collected by a single person in his life time. Which museum, which place? Who was the person who collected them? What was he? --Gurubrahma07:29, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Yes indeed, most amazing collection - the large clock, veiled Rebecca etc. While Hydkat can ask the next question, I prefer he waits for 6-8 hrs. else, at this rate, we'll finish off the round in no time. --Gurubrahma08:03, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Shreshth91, I didn't delete your comment on purpose! It just happened - I got a wikipedia general error message..so I click reload after a few seconds and saw the changes reflected. My edit did not have your message when I was doing this. --hydkat08:44, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
Q14
I'm back... and I hope all you sound media-deficit guys won't hound me! My last question were three images, this time I'm going for audio...
Hariprasad Chaurasia. I cannot remember the song name, but the tune has an uncanny similarity with a Bengali modern song by Nirmala Mishra, some lyrics of the song were like aj shyamla pather banke...ay re chute ay..., music might have been done by Bhupen Hazarika. It's tough, unless you happen to have heard the exact piece before.--Dwaipayan (talk) 02:36, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
Dwaipayanc if you could upload a sample of that song we could compare it, it might tell us something about the songs origin. But this song is from a recording by a very well know musician/composer. Some very famous movie songs are his, though he was actually an original Indian rock star in the 80s, recording songs on Social and Political themes... and no: Indian rock does not even mention him :). Need anymore hints?
Thanks to the fact that I work from an office computer on which I do not have admin privileges, I could not listen to the file. This is indeed one of my favorite songs and I'd have easily got it - it is based on a Goan folk tune and was released as a part of the album "O meri munni." Personally I feel that it is best to stick to non audio visual questions. FWIW, I left a msg. on Talk:Remo Fernandes. Someone may want to make a fresh start. --Gurubrahma18:58, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
Noted, I guess if I get another question; I won't place a video clip question as I intended to! --hydkat10:17, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
I am very sorry for the delay as I am travelling extensively for last few days. Now I just got hold of a computer and will be putting the Q in one or two hours. Please wait. If I am unable to put the Q, I will inform in 2 hours. Thanks. Regards.--Dwaipayan (talk) 16:38, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
Wasn't logged in all day, so I did not notice the above messages. If Gurubrahma doesn't mind, I give the next question. My question this time is a picture...
Ahhh! So sorry for the delay... yes that's correct. After the rediscovery they found out a canal was scheduled to be built right thru the area the birds were found on the Pennar River valley. But the government decided to redirect the canal and form the Sri Lankamalleshwara Sanctuary. Recently there has been another proposal to make a canal thru the sanctuary area [7]. Next questions yours Nichalp! --hydkat19:50, 21 May 2006 (UTC)
Nearly 9,000 sq. km. Come on. Anyone can now get the area after I have even linked the article. Area was given in year 1968, though it was finalized in 1965. -Ambuj Saxena (talk) 05:37, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
This is late but atually Ambuj, it wasn't 9,000 km2 but only 900 sq miles. Call me a spoilsport. :D --Idleguy04:29, 27 May 2006 (UTC)
Q17
In whose name was the famous Dakshineshwar Kali Temple officially registered after it was completed in 1855? And why? -Ambuj Saxena (talk) 06:28, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
Rani Rashmoni built it but since she was from a farming caste, there were problems from people in acepting registration or consecration in her name. It was registered in the name of her Guru Ramkumar, who I believe is a brahmin [8]. The temple is famous as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa worked as the head priest there. --Gurubrahma07:39, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
Perfect answer. The way my questions are always answered by Gurubrahma, people might now be wondering if we have a pact :D. Go ahead with next question. -Ambuj Saxena (talk) 11:39, 22 May 2006 (UTC)
Yes Samir, you get it. I only hope that you don't pay back in kind by asking a connector question. ;) --Gurubrahma05:29, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
Q19
An English indie band paid tribute to a playback singer with a song that went on to be a Top 40 hit in many countries in 1998. That playback singer later contributed to a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Name (1) The English indie Band (2) The playback singer and (3) How the playback singer contributed to the Grammy award -- Samirधर्म08:48, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
I'll need some time, will place a question sometime tonight. Btw, thanx for your comments on my last question :) --hydkat09:36, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
I can't believe it; I logged in to answer it but was held back by new messages on my talkpage and hydkat beats me to it. Guess, the law of averages is catching up. --Gurubrahma09:48, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
Hello, Here's my Q - A is sometimes called the book of life. B is a person who, along with other peers, figured out how to translate A into C, discovering and using what is now called D. B along with two others received a Nobel prize for this effort. Please list out A, B, C and D for me. --hydkat14:53, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
Ok, my turn:
This word, used today mostly to refer to an equestrian event has its origins in India. It is loosely a corruption of the Hindi/ Persian words for 'ball' and 'house'. Originally referred to any of various sporting contests. -Cribananda21:37, 24 May 2006 (UTC)
Name the only India-born head of a state or provincial government in North America (current or prior; excluding the West Indies) -- Samirधर्म05:55, 25 May 2006 (UTC)
Should be very easy. This person was among the first to talk of the concept of Swaraj. He also propagated Vedas. Who? --Gurubrahma12:55, 25 May 2006 (UTC)
I thought ppl. would say Tilak and I can *evilgrin*. While Tilak indeed spearheaded Swaraj movement and wrote about "Vedas in the Arctic", the concept of Swaraj was prominently mentioned by Swami Dayananda Saraswati earlier and he believed only in the primacy of vedas against practices such as idol worship. In short, the force passes to Shreshth. --Gurubrahma14:22, 25 May 2006 (UTC)
Hmm, its quite intuitive. It would be interesting to have some reference though! I'll take some time for the next queation.(hopefully by that time Gurubrahma will do the necessary things to announce the end, declare himself the winner and start initiate the platform of the next round.) Bye.--Dwaipayan (talk) 20:14, 26 May 2006 (UTC)
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
