Who Am I series
If you are into quizzing, you must know one thing for sure: learning is more important than knowing. Just like guessing is more important than staying silent. I am certain about these factors because I’ve been quizzing since school days and I’ve been actively hosting quizzes for over a year now. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoy creating questionnaire for our zoom gatherings. Of course, participating in a quiz and going through those adrenaline rushes (when you get the answers right) and moments of amnesia (when you get the answers wrong) is something else altogether. Yet, since May of 2020, I’ve hosted more quizzes than I’ve participated in. Old age.
As of now, there are three quizzing groups—one more active than the others—that I am a part of. And while creating questions, I try my best to include questions and trivia from diverse subjects but no matter how hard I try, a quiz always feels like it could have been much better. Some questions tend to be badly framed. Some hints end up confusing than helping. Some images are misdirecting. And so on. In my experience, a perfect quiz doesn’t exist. Why? Because a quiz is not just about the questions asked; it’s also about the answers taken, the ensuing guess-games and the overlapping bad luck of participants who knew the answers but didn’t get their turn. Not to forget the lame jokes and the good puns cracked by enthusiasts. So, yes, in essence, quizzing is more important than the quiz itself.
Anyway, one of the main features of my quizzes are the the Who-Am-I series, wherein I give tidbits about famous personalities, expecting the participants to connect the dots. The trick (as a questioner) is to share something very little known about popular figures, making the answerers doubt themselves. That’s where the fun lies. Otherwise, it becomes straightforward and boring.
Let me share such questions from my quizzes. See if you can crack them.
I was born in 1964 and killed in 2003.
I was supposed to be the successor to the throne.
My name is Sanskrit for sunrise.
I was guilty of murder, rape and torture.
Who am I?
I started my film career in Gandhi (1982).
In 1989, I quit theatre following a meltdown.
8 years later, I quit cinema as well in order to become a cobbler.
I eventually returned to the industry but worked in 6 films in over 20 years.
Who am I?
My father and mother were siblings.
After my dad’s death, I was made the king.
There was drama and then I died in my teens.
I left behind a curse that remains to this day.
Who am I?
I was born in France and I died in Switzerland.
I married my lawyer who fought my speeding case in Bombay.
I was sacked only once in my entire life.
When I died, the Indian parliament was adjourned – a rare honour.
Who am I?
I was born on a full moon day and died on a full moon day.
My name translates to transition from darkness to light.
I never wrote a line on my thoughts about the world.
My last meal was some bad dumplings that killed me.
Who am I?
I was of Jewish origins although I won’t call myself religious.
My biggest musical hit happened after my demise.
The British media referred me as ‘down-to-earth’ and ‘troubled’.
Mine was declared ‘death by misadventure’ by the doctors.
Who am I?
I became the emperor at the age of 16.
My uncle persuaded me to get my mom killed.
I was more interested in parties than ruling.
They killed me and made my uncle the emperor.
Who am I?
You can drop your guesses to shakti03@gmail.com and I’ll let you know whether you’ve got (any of) them right.
Have a splendid day/night ahead.