Sep 24, 2002 09:39 AM
17334 Views
(Updated Sep 24, 2002 09:41 AM)
Mr.Daly was the manager of Dublin theatre. He made a bet that within 24 hours he would add a new meaningless word to the English language. Within hours he had scrawled the letters Q-U-I-Z on every thing within his reach. Walls, papers, footpaths etc. Soon, the people were wondering what this new word was!
That was how this new word was added to the English language.
I do not know how true the above story is! But nevertheless, the word Quiz was added!
A BRIEF HISTORY
The first open forum quiz program was conducted in a small church in Kolkata, then known as Calcutta, by a certain Neil O'Brien, now known as ''The Father of Indian Quizzing'', in 1967. This form of competition soon became famous and different institutions and clubs started organizing quiz competitions. A format was given, rounds were designed, rules were introduced....and the very first Bournvita Quiz Contest went on air on 12th April, 1972. In those times, it was hosted by Hameed Sayaani, and later on, by his brother, Ameen Sayaani.
The show changed gears when it shifted from the audio medium to the audio-visual medium. This was on 5th June 1994, when the BQC appeared on the television screens of the nation. It was Zee TV that brought this show to the TV-goers. The quizmaster Derek O'brien lent a new dimension to this show with his superb compering. The show again had a major changeover when the producers signed up with SONY TV in 2002. The Bournvita Quiz Contest is probably the longest running quiz show of India.
Mediums changed....channels changed....but the Bournvita Quiz Contest remains to this day, the best quiz show of India.
THE NETWORK AND THE LAYOUT
The Bournvita Quiz Contest covers more than 2500 schools from almost 70 cities across 6 countries. The steps taken go through the zonal competitions, the quarter finals, the semifinals and finally the finals. The way Derek O'brien conducts the show is superb.
There are different rounds which the participants have to go through. Some of the more popular rounds are The Audio-Visual round, the Rapid Fire round and of course, the Guess Appearance round, where some celebrity comes and asks the questions. One more commendable thing about this show is the way they keep on changing the format, introducing new rounds and making the show more interesting.
THE BIGGEST FACTOR
The biggest factor that has made the BQC soar to such dizzying heights.....sorry, quizzing heights....other than the host Derek, is without doubt those little brains that never fail to impress me. Indeed, I am always in awe of these small children who answer the most difficult questions with ease. It just makes me aware that the next generation is far more observant, far more sharper than us. The way these children answer every question is a treat for me.
IN CONCLUSION
The Bournvita Quiz Contest has reached a long way after 1972. Currently, you can watch it on SONY TV at 10.30 am(IST) on Sundays, and the repeat telecast at 10 am(IST) on Fridays.
Don't miss it!
PLEASE NOTE: Though the Mouthshut website shows this program under ZEE TV, it is now switched on to SONY TELEVISION.
