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Harish S, Final Year
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Vanakkam 
25 questions in the prelims.
No negs. So feel free to guess.
Q1-20 carry 1 point each
Q21 to 25 are star marked questions which carry 2
points each.
No cell phones/googling please.
Top 6 teams battle it out in the finals.
Bonus points and part points are at QM’s discretion.
This Quiz is a product of the research done by QM,
and factual errors, if any, are results of QM’s
negligence and not of the beautiful language.
All old Tamizh documents used to carry X in the
manuscripts. The reasons for the usage of X is generally
attributed to:
1) A way to indicate the day (like we write the date on
top left/right of our pages), but later lost the numerals.
2)Attributing it to the Lord , implying the day belongs to
the Lord, and it will hence be good.
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The most widely accepted reason is:
Using X helped people identify good palm leaves to
write on. The ones on which they couldn't draw the ‘X'
comfortably were discarded. This habit persisted and is
still followed as a tradition.
X? And why using X helps identify good palm leaves to write?
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Pillayar Suzhi
With the curves and lines represented in the
Pillayar Suzhi, we can write any Tamizh
alphabet.
Shubh Aarambh to the Quiz 
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Researches in Applied Linguistics suggest
that Tamizh and Japanese are similar in more
ways as they belong to the same Ural Altaic
language group.
Researches also suggested that Tamil and
Japanese cultures too have several things in
common. One cited example is the chanting
of ‘honga honga’ during the Japanese harvest
festival Ko Shogatsu.
What is the similar Tamil Chant?
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“Pongalo Pongal”
FYI Ko Shogatsu is celebrated on January 14
as well!
Welcome to Vasantham 2015 
Connect.
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Vaaranam Aayiram
10 verses in Naachiyaar Thirumozhi written
by Aandaal is called Vaaranam Aayiram
Surya’s Vaaranam Aayiram contains a scene
where the first verse of the poem is recited in
the last scene of the movie.
Vaaranam means elephant
It’s still Margazhi folks ;)
In Maldives, it is the all purpose boat built by
master carpenters using very few tools. Apart
from its use in fishing , inter-island transport
and the movement of cargo, they are used as
diving boats, live-aboard cruise vessels,
passenger ferry boats and deep-sea fishing
craft complete with outriggers and fighting
chairs. In India, the "name" is a phenomenon.
What is the boat called?
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த ோணி
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The following is from the title card of the
recently launched movie “Kaaviya Thalaivan”
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Who is the personality being thanked by
A.R.Rahman?
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Antiquity
Harmony
Clarity
Independent
Serenity
Idealism
Universality
Reason
Order
Humanism
What are all this?
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Criteria for Classical Language Status!
Brand Description:
“ From a city that is known for its culture, passion and
energy. The land where superstars ,music legends and
demigods have come to life. From the city that
introduced the madras checks to the world of fashion
comes a brand that was born on the streets of
Aminjikarai. Established in 1990.
As a testament to Chennai’s ever adapting and ever
evolving culture, it comes with an attitude which is
truly global in its fashion quotient.
Now the metropolis of Chennai will have one more thing
to be known for globally.”
Which brand?
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MDIS, an educational institute in Singapore chose 10 sages of the
world who have influenced many lives and changed the way we
think, learn and live and made a statue of them.
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The ten statues of learned men symbolise wisdom, knowledge and
great humanity. They were leaders in their own rights, with values
of integrity, sincerity and honesty. Their works and teachings
guided many people all over the world.
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This includes Louis Pasteur, Albert Einstein, Ibn Khaldoun, Samuel
Johnson, Aristotle, Plato, Confucius, Socrates, Maria Montessori.
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Who is the other one?
Written on 87 loose sheets of papers during
1919-20, _______’s whereabouts was unknown
to all, until it was rediscovered by George
Andrews in 1976.
 It was published in 1987, where the then PM
Rajiv Gandhi gave the First Copy to Janaki
Ammal and second copy to Prof.Andrews
 The discovery of this _________ caused roughly
as much stir in the mathematical world as the
discovery of Beethoven’s tenth symphony would
cause in the musical world.
 FITB
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Ramanujan’s Lost Notebook
Minimalist Poster of
Which Movie?
South Indian Connect to the following Equations??
Geometric
representation of the
above equations, if it
helps :P
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Idly, Dosa, Vada. The Trio of Thamizh Cuisine.
Circle- Dosa; Torus- Vada; Ellipsoid- Idly
According to the story, Dakshaprajapathi, who had given his
daughter in marriage to Lord Siva, conducted a Yaga. For this
Yaga, Lord Siva was not invited. However, Dakshyayini came
to take part in this Yaga much against the wish of her husband
Lord Siva.
On coming to Yagakundam, Dakshyayini was not welcomed
by her parents or anyone. She was vexed and threw herself in
the Yagakundam and burned to ashes. On hearing this, Lord
Siva got highly enraged, proceeded to the sacrificial spot and
threw every one present including Brahma.
The skulls and bones were thrown into the river where it
remained wet always.
Legend behind the name of which place.
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Erode from Eera-Odu
ID this Famous Personality who was in Hiding During Emergency
Period.
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Subramanian Swamy!
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Karky Research Foundation (KaReFo) is a non
profit educational research organisation
founded by lyricist Madhan Karky.
Their focus is on Tamil Computing and language
growth. One of their beta products include
Agaraadhi.com, which introduces new foreign
words into Thamizh.
One example of the word is Thaami( ோமி)
which roughly means ‘something one does to
oneself’, the English original of which was an
Internet Sensation in 2013.
What is the good word?
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Selfie.
Problem Definition:
For a given Tune, find suitable words that exactly
match the template provided by the tune, such that
the following conditions are satisfied :
1. The words form meaningful sentences that suits the
situation provided.
2. The phonemes in the words to suit the mood of the
tune and situation.
3. Maximize edhugai monai and iyaibu properties of
lyrics without compromising conditions 1 & 2.
4. Find words and phrases that are simple, not been
used before and semantically related to each other.
 What is the technical term for this?
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Lyric Engineering
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This is a richly flavored soup, spiced with
curry powder and served with a dollop of
tangy sour cream.
This curry flavoured soup is of Anglo-Indian
origin, and its name translated literally from
Tamil means “pepper water”, although the
dish that Anglo-Indians call “pepper water” is
closer to Rasam than this dish.
Name the soup boys :P
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Muligatawny
Taken from the tamizh “Milagu Thaneer”
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“ஓடிய நீளந் ன்னை ஓரெட்டு கூற ோக்கி கூற்றிதே ஒன்று
ள்ளி
குன்றத் ில் போ ி தேர்த் ோல் வருவது கர்ணம் ோதை”
The direct translation of this verse:
“Divide the distance you've run (longer side) into 8 equal
parts and discard one part from it. Then if you add half
the height to that, you'll get the karnam”
 This verse supposedly known to the ancient tamizh
masons was the ‘formula’ to calculate the ‘karnam’
which was essential to design inclined planes.
 Mathematically, this is a close approximation to what
we follow today.
 What?
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Pythagoras Theorem
example 1: Take a Right angled triangle with
sides 3 and 4 units.
Now as per the poem,
Hypotenuse = (7/8)*4 + 3/2 =5.
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example 2, take a Right angled triangle with
sides 3 and 6
Hypotenuse = (7/8)*6 + 3/2 = 6.75
By the actual pythagorian theorem, Hypotenuse =
SQRT(6^2 + 3^2) = 6.71
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S.Rangarajan was an Electronics Engineer, who
wanted to popularise Science in Thamizh. He wrote
short stories and articles in magazines with the pen
name of Sujatha (his wife’s name) to avoid confusion
with another ‘Rangarajan’ popular in literary circles.
 However, in a magazine named Kanaiyaazhi, a writer
with the pen name “Srirangam S.R” was constantly
criticising Sujatha’s articles and published satirical
pieces of his essays. These articles became as popular
as the original ones.
 The Original Identity of “Srirangam S.R” was revealed
in 2008, to be a popular writer.
 Who?
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Of Course it is Sujatha!
He revealed it in an interview to Gopinath.
Indian Carnatic Music player Raghavendra was
born to the renowned Mridangam player
Srimushnam V.Raja Rao and Padma.
 He rose to fame when his first film as music
composer, “Vaayai Moodi Pesavum” received
critical acclaim. His subsequent films,
Sathuranga Vettai and Mundaasupatti were also
received well by music critics.
 However he chooses to use the peculiar stage
name as Sean Roldan.
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Why?
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He is the grandson of the famed novelist
Chaandilyan.
He stylistically Anglicised his grandfather’s
name and made it his stage name as a tribute
to him.
The following verse from Thirumandhiram formed the
inspiration of the title for a critically acclaimed movie
dealing with love, spirituality and communism.
 “ X Y இெண்ரென்பர் அறிவிேோர்
X Y ஆவ ோரும் அறிகிேோர்
X Y ஆவ ோரும் அறிந் பின்
X Y அமர்ந் ிருந் ோதெ!”
The english translation is:
“The ignorant think of X and Y as different.
They don’t know that X becomes Y.
After they realise that X becomes Y
Then truly X sits as Y”
XY Is the Movie title.
Which Film?
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The Giant Swing(Thai: เสาชิงช้า, Sao Ching Cha) is a
religious structure in Bangkok, Thailand, constructed
in 1784 by King Rama I and is suggested as a future
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 It hosts the Swing Ceremony, which is one of the 12
royal ceremonies held in each of the months of the
Thai lunar calendar.
 It is called the ceremony of Tri-Yampavai and Tribave in Thai Language because holy verses are recited
from these works, which are translated from original
Thamizh works.
 What are these original Thamizh works?
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Thirupaavai (for Vishnu) and
Thiruvembaavai( for Shiva)
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The following is a verse from Kurunthogai.
“ரகோங்குத ர் வோழ்க்னக அஞ்ேினற தும்பி
கோமம் ரேப்போது கண்ெது ரமோழிதமோ
பயிேியது ரகழீ இய நட்பின் மயிேியல்
ரேறிரயயிற் றரினவ கூந் ேின்
நறியவும் உளதவோ நீ அறியும் பூதவ”
Originally written as a solution to a Riddle posed by a
Pandya King Soodamanipandyan, the literary
meaning and the implied conclusion of the poem
came under severe criticism from a person X in the
court of the king.
 The poem is also very special in the history of Tamil
literature owing to its foreign authorship.
 ID X and the author of the verse.
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This is the poem given to Dharumi by Lord
Shiva himself as a solution to the King’s riddle
of “Does women’s hair have a natural
fragrance?” implying yes as an answer.
 Came under criticism from X:Nakkeeran as he
believed otherwise taking a firm stance
claiming:
“ரநற்றிக்கண் ிறப்பினும் குற்றம் குற்றதம”
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This memorial of this famous Thamizh Poet
was subject to alterations following a legal
dispute.
Which Poet? Why the Alteration was made?
Bharathiyar died on 12 September night 1 AM but it was inscribed as 11
September initially.
Pandithurai Thevar was a great patron of arts, literary
works and poesy. He was also the zamindar of
Palavanatham. He was invited to many places to give
talks.
 When he visited Madurai for the same, he needed
references from Thirukural and Kamba Ramayanam for
preparatory notes. But the books weren’t available
anywhere. Madurai, the seat of Tamil Sangam didn’t
possess the two books which were Thamizh’s towering
pillars.
 This incident bothered him and made him do something
that would bring up Mother tamil to her former glory.
 What?
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The Fourth Thamizh Sangam
End Card of Which Thamizh Movie? The plot is centered on which personality?
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Ezhaam Arivu