A list of puzzling questions
Editor’s note: Every week, we feature three questions from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—who is a researcher-writer, and has a side hustle as a professional quiz guru. He’d love to hear from you—so send your feedback/suggestions or just say ‘hi’ over at sharmashantanu312@gmail.com or @shantorasbox on Twitter.
How this works: Every correct answer is worth 10 points. If a question has multiple parts, each is worth 5 points. You have until Friday 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter. The correct answers will be published every Monday. The grand prize for the winner at the end of the month: a quarterly subscription for anyone of your choice—including the option of adding three months to your sub. That’s Rs 499 in value—so it’s pretty darn good:)
Rule to note: We will pick winners each month using a lucky draw.
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the first week of August.
One: This stamp was issued to commemorate the centennial birth anniversary of a friend of the nation. Not alive to see the withering democratic spirit, identify him or his scion, who is currently making headlines.
Two: In this clip, the facade of a Spanish UNESCO World Heritage Site is illuminated with digital artwork. Which renowned modernist architect is this a tribute to?
Three: As we say farewell to the Paris 2024 Olympics, what one word connects the ‘Swedish Timothée Chalamet’ with the charming purple track?
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: At the Olympics this year, where specifically can you see (or not see) a glimpse of this colourful poster shown below?
Answer: Cardboard box given to medal winners
During medal ceremonies at the Paris 2024 Olympics, besides the medals, you might have noticed the athletes receiving a narrow cardboard box. Inside the box is this special Paris-themed poster. The bird’s eye view showcases a red Eiffel Tower, surrounded by sports taking place and cheering crowds. The illustrator Ugo Gattoni spent 2,000 hours on two posters that symbolise the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Two: Connect the elements below that hint at the lesser-known talents of a multifaceted maestro.
(a) India’s premier literary institution
(b) A Tagore-inspired cover of a poetry volume
(c) A popular publishing house
Answer: Satyajit Ray
The Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray was a Renaissance man of many talents. A prolific creator, he excelled in designing advertisements, book covers, illustrations, film posters, booklets, title cards, logos, and even set designs. The Sahitya Akademi logo was his brainchild, and he also created some of their early book covers for the ‘Makers of Indian Literature’ series. He blended influences from Western art, Shantiniketan, calligraphy, and Japanese wash techniques in his innovative designs for the 1940s Bengali publishing industry, as visible in the cover for poet Jibanananda Das’s ‘Bonolata Sen’ (1952). Rupa Publications’ logo was also designed by the auteur—who charged just ‘a few good books to read!’ as his fee.
Three: In the picture below, an author is celebrating an award received for comic brilliance. Name the author in the photo, and the literary great after whom the award is appropriately named. (5 + 5)
Answer: PG Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett
The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize is the UK’s only award for comic writing. Celebrating the novels that embody Wodehouse’s humour, the winner gets a jeroboam of Bollinger, a set of Everyman Wodehouse books, and a pig named after their novel—in true Wodehousian style. The late great Terry Pratchett won the award in 2012 for his 39th Discworld novel, ‘Snuff’, praised by judges as a comic masterpiece for its playful language and satirical tone.
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the first week of August. Congratulations!
