By Anirban Paul
In the tapestry of literary and cultural pursuits in Shillong, quizzing has long occupied a distinguished place. A vibrant activity that has transcended generations, quizzing in the city always kindled the inquisitive spirit that harboured in young minds in their growing years. As the years have marched on, the quizzing landscape has undergone transformative shifts, yet the essence of this engaging pursuit remains as captivating as ever.
For many who grew up quizzing in Shillong, the images of Siddharth Basu’s BBC Mastermind and Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati are etched in memory. These programmes were national television phenomena at the time of broadcast, but for the aspirational students of the city, the foundations of quizzing were laid through competitions like the Bournvita Quiz Contest and the Maggi Quizzes, hosted by charismatic quizmasters such as Derek O’Brien.
These were among the earliest and most reputable quizzing events that not only tested knowledge but infused the fun of this very literary event… something which generations across reminisces.
The city saw its quizzing peak when Brainjam, conducted by Barry O’Brien, took centre stage in the latter half of 2000s. There was a huge pomp and fervour around the event, especially due to its open-for-all format, which allowed people from all backgrounds to try their luck. The event usually saw a jam-packed U Soso Tham Auditorium, with even the audience participating with great enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, due to reasons unknown, the event lasted for only two years in the city. It takes place annually in Guwahati now.
The longest-running annual quiz event in Shillong however – which witnesses participation of high school and college students in great numbers – is the one organised by Ramakrishna Mission as one of its signature events in its month-long cultural competition. For avid quizzers of the capital city, numbers of which have unfortunately dwindled over the years, this is one of the quizzes with a badge-of-honour-like reputation within the quizzing community. The appeal is drawn from a unique and diverse format, which has evolved over the years with thought and contribution put in by its quizmaster, Ajit Paul, a retired customs officer.
Apart from this, quizzing in the city was also associated with the grand festivities of Durga Puja in the yesteryears, some of which still survive in pockets today.
These smaller yet consistently held quizzes allowed participation of students as young as 10 years, with hearts poured and nerves held not only by participants but also the audience. While they certainly did not share the grandeur of national televised quiz shows or sponsored quizzing events, these quizzes possessed an undeniable charm that drew large crowds amidst the festive buzz and often embraced a more inclusive approach, beckoning participation from all walks of life.
However, with time, the landscape began to shift. The once-vibrant quizzing culture in the state started to lose its lustre, with several major quizzes gradually fading from existence. The reasons for this decline are multifaceted – onset of easily available information, changing priorities and evolving entertainment mediums.
But as the curtains seemed to be drawing on a closing era of intellectual camaraderie, the Shillong Quizzing Society (SQS) is now attempting to revive the quizzing culture in the city.
Established by three friends and former quizzers on August 27, 2022, its inception was marked by a modest gathering at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), where a small group of participants from various walks of life converged. Students, defence personnel, bureaucrats, retired professionals, and media personnel once again dedicated time on a weekend evening to relive a common love for the activity.
Society is dedicating time to introducing a fresh and inclusive quizzing format, often used in many colleges in major cities of the country… one that breaks away from the traditional model that might cater to only a select group of well-read individuals. The quizzes are imbued with hints, contextual backgrounds for answers, and an emphasis on illuminating lesser-known facts about Meghalaya and the northeastern region. This approach has helped the SQS to democratise quizzing and infuse the activity with a sense of discovery, where even those who might not consider themselves ‘experts’ can revel in the joy of learning.
From initial monthly gatherings of 10-12 people, the society now sees nearly 50 participants in its monthly quizzes with word-of-mouth extending to the community, bringing together people across demographics.
With the echoes of knowledge slowly resonating once again through the Shillong, the future of quizzing is currently being reimagined, one question at a time, hopefully for the better and for longer. In the era of digital allure, it remains to be seen whether a pursuit to tickle curiosity will remain lucrative enough in the coming days for the city.