Suggestions for quiz

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 13 Jan 2007, 01:38

Hello all
As requested by several rasikas, I am planning to conduct a quiz on rAgas. I want to throw open the quiz on sankrAnti day, as a festival offering. Please give ideas as to how to conduct the quiz, any suggestions about what to include. Of course I wont tell you all right now what suggestions I included/incorporated as that would make it easier.

Suji Ram wondered if the participants will be graded.

Jayaram has suggested the following

Suggest we have a trial run first to iron out the kinks...

a suggested format:
1. agree on a date and time for the quiz to happen (keep aside an hour for this)
2. DRS will then type in the link to the music location (is it possible to insert the audio clip directly in the posting here, like we can do for You-tube videos? srkris?)
3. the participants quickly listen to the music, and post the ragas identified.
4. DRS judges the results
5. Finally, the prizes are awarded! (a virtual pat on the back?)

Trial run- Im not sure. We may or may not need it. As for a sutable time, I feel that may not be practical as we all live in different time zones and what is suitable for one will not be for others elsewhere. Dont forget the work commitments we have too.
My questions

1- How do we run this quiz? Should it be open to all or should we have participants separate from audience? Depending on numbers, we could form teams too?

2- Should we have a time limit for answering? This may not work very well. Of course we could have more realistic time limits for virtual world. But this potentially reduces the enthusiasm/heat as there may be inordinate delays in answering.

3- If everyone answers, we could just give marks to everyone who ansmers regardless of who does first or last. Yes, some can copy from others, but does it really matter?

I plan to hace several rounds. I have thought of a few rounds. Iam open to suggestions. Others can chip in with more suggestions/questions. We can discuss them as we go along. Lets tr and wind up the discussion by the end of tomorrow. I do not believe in "5 year plans"

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 13 Jan 2007, 02:58

Here is my take on it.

drshrikaanth wrote:1- How do we run this quiz? Should it be open to all or should we have participants separate from audience? Depending on numbers, we could form teams too?

For the first round, may be better to have individual participants. If possible post the quiz and then make the thread closed for new entries - I do not know if this is feasible. Then whoever wants to answer, can send the answers by e-mail to the quizmaster.

drshrikaanth wrote:2- Should we have a time limit for answering? This may not work very well. Of course we could have more realistic time limits for virtual world. But this potentially reduces the enthusiasm/heat as there may be inordinate delays in answering.

A reasonable timeframe (at least 24hrs?), not falling on a weekend would be good so that everyone is given a fair chance to participate.

drshrikaanth wrote:3. If everyone answers, we could just give marks to everyone who ansmers regardless of who does first or last. Yes, some can copy from others, but does it really matter?.

If you can close the thread for posting, then you are avoiding the problem of one posters answer influencing the others. Not that it matters really

drshrikaanth wrote:I plan to hace several rounds. I have thought of a few rounds. Iam open to suggestions. Others can chip in with more suggestions/questions. We can discuss them as we go along. Lets tr and wind up the discussion by the end of tomorrow. I do not believe in "5 year plans"

Looking forward to the first round.
-Ramakriya

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 13 Jan 2007, 03:07

I think that all the clips should be instrumental. This way one cannot listen to the pallavi line and guess the rAgA. However, some middle part of a vocal rendition should also be OK I suppose.

meena · Post by **meena** » 13 Jan 2007, 03:14

I think that all the clips should be instrumental. This way one cannot listen to the pallavi line and guess the rAgA. However, some middle part of a vocal rendition should also be OK I suppose.

:lol::lol:

there goes my prize!

meena · Post by **meena** » 13 Jan 2007, 03:16

Then whoever wants to answer, can send the answers by e-mail to the quizmaster.

hope the quiz master's inbox can handle the emails.

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 13 Jan 2007, 03:53

DRS, couple of suggestions:
1. The time frame should not be too long, because then it becomes more 'open-book'. Max 8 hours should do it. Do announce the date and time well in advance so that people have enough notice.
2. Please post the quiz in the Q&A section; this way one needs to login to read the questions.
3. Keep the initial rounds a bit on the easy side. This way you can attract more participants (and interest).

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 13 Jan 2007, 04:08

Thanks for the first round of suggestions.
Ramakriya- yes. It will be possible to lock the thread. Several rounds- 24hrs- I want to ginish a round in 24 hrs. Too much time will give a chance for people to google etc. Not that it matters as ultimately people do learn. But I think it dampens the spirit of participation.

Lakshman- Yes. I was thinking on the lines of instrumental for at least some of the questions.

Jayaram- yes the initial rounds will be simple. And I agree the time frame shoould not be too long.

I am planning to hold both theory- based and audio rounds. Iam not telling any more yet!

I think I will post the quiz in the sangita kalAlaya section as this is a learning exercise for all of us. It shouldnt matter whether people seeit with/without logging in (Or would it?). I will lock the thread so no one can post on the thread.

As regards participants, shall we keep it open to all or shall we have teams of 2 people? We will need participants to volunteer beforehand for that.

I like the idea of cooperative answering

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 13 Jan 2007, 04:19

drshrikaanth wrote:Too much time will give a chance for people to google etc. Not that it matters as ultimately people do learn. But I think it dampens the spirit of participation.

I like the idea of cooperative answering

There goes my prize too!. But I want to learn more -that's the reason for my participation. Will try to answer sincerely without reference.
Will there be multiple choices? Atleast I can get pass marks.

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 13 Jan 2007, 04:28

drshrikaanth wrote:As regards participants, shall we keep it open to all or shall we have teams of 2 people? We will need participants to volunteer beforehand for that.

I like the idea of cooperative answering

I am fine with individual or group participation

Bottomline: I want to participate!

-Ramakriya

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 13 Jan 2007, 04:36

Team me up with the best. Bottomline: I want the prize!

Another suggestion: make sure the audio clips are u/l'ed on more than one site. YouSendIt seems to be a good place (as of now, that is)

sridevi · Post by **sridevi** » 13 Jan 2007, 05:40

I am up for participation too... Hopefully I will be able to download and listen to the tracks.

And yes.. no rapidshare posting please.. For us free users it locks us out for 1 hr after every download.

If the first round is not tomorrow that will be great.. for I am donning the MC/quizmaster hat for our local event in the bay area.

Sridevi

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 13 Jan 2007, 05:47

Good to have you participate Sridevi. Will avoid Rapisdhare for sure.
And no, the quiz will begin on Monday- sankrAnti

ranjani · Post by **ranjani** » 13 Jan 2007, 06:02

So glad to hear about this competition.Like Suji I too hope I will get passmark. Can you tell us how we can enroll.

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 13 Jan 2007, 10:26

waiting to participate in the quiz!!!

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 13 Jan 2007, 22:51

I suggest a 48 h time limit. It helps when someone might end up being busy on a particular day. (for me that's a week end

)

meena · Post by **meena** » 14 Jan 2007, 00:02

waiting to participate in the quiz!!!

venkat
No wonder we are having arctic temp. here. 'Instrumental' dear Watson!

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 14 Jan 2007, 00:10

meena,

didnt get u??

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 14 Jan 2007, 00:10

Suji
We will leave the weekend out. As I will do the first round on Monday, lets wind up the round the same day. 48 hrs is too much. I will post by Midnight(sunday) BST and leave 12 hrs. I will not be too rigid about the time. But having a time limit helps. SO 12 hrs from Midnight i.e noon Monday I should have answers. Iam happy to have emails sent to my email account.

Venkat- good to see you. Right- so do we have more volunteers? If we do, it will help form pairs.

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 14 Jan 2007, 02:30

do we have a list of declared participants?

shripathi_g · Post by **shripathi_g** » 14 Jan 2007, 05:04

Do we post the replies in the same thread or send it by email?

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 14 Jan 2007, 05:24

By email Shripathi. The quiz thread, which will be in the Sangeeta kalalaya section, will be locked so no posts can be made. I will give my email address along qith the quiz.

ranjani · Post by **ranjani** » 14 Jan 2007, 05:25

dear drshrikaanth,

What does BST mean? Is this same as GMT?
May I request 24Hrs for us to sedn you Answers.This can cover people on variious Timezones.

Ranjani

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 14 Jan 2007, 05:33

Ranjani GMT yes as we are in winter now. I thought 12 hrs would cover all Time Zones as I post in Midnight by which time it will be daylight in India (And countries further East). And it will still be evening in the US. Ok, I will leave the quiz open for 18 hours. That should be more than ample. I want to give out the answers before I go to bed on Monday.

Hope thats ok with all of you ( As I said earlier, I wont be too rigid with the time. SO, even if you are a little over the time, please send your answers. Only try your best to keep the time.

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 14 Jan 2007, 12:53

I am waiting for the quiz to come up. any quiz in carnatic music of any type is all juicy...

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 14 Jan 2007, 22:17

Ok friends.
I will be putting up the first round of the quiz at midnight GMT (About 7 hrs from now). It wil be theoretical questions. WIll give more details when I post the quiz. Participants please answer individually as we have not been able to form teams. Good luck

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 15 Jan 2007, 05:34

First Round is up in the Sangeeta Kalalaya section. Do sed in your answers to me by email. Best of luck to all.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 15 Jan 2007, 18:06

rbharath, shripathi, Meena, Ranjani, Sridevi, Lakshman and anyone else- send in your entries fast. Its only a few hours from now.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 15 Jan 2007, 20:53

From the feedback received, it appears that some at least felt pressured for time. Also, some participants have used google etc(And been honest about iu) while others have not. Am still awaiting a few more entries.

So, in case participants feel they were not given sufficient time, I am happy to give an extension. Also, I assure that you will have more time to answer the next rounds. Also, if those who have sent entries already remember answers for questions they have not already answered, feel free to send them in. I will consider the same.

Feel free toe express yourselves here.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 16 Jan 2007, 01:41

The time zone worked out well for me. Also, I was able to answer fairly quickly because I wasn't very busy at work today, so had some time to think about my answers. For the audio rounds I will need a lot more time (perhaps 48 hours) since I would be unable to download or listen at the office.

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 16 Jan 2007, 02:00

I second Mohan -48 h for audios.
Also can we change the colorless locked quiz thread to some other color as people will not quickly look at it when quizes are posted

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 16 Jan 2007, 02:09

48 Hrs it shall be for the audio rounds.

the colorless locked quiz thread

I will request Admin to see if it can be shown in a different colour.Hope the content is not colourless.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Jan 2007, 02:28

Pl permit entry only for the audio for folks like myself whose 'alzheimers' limit participation on the Theory (without a Google help)

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 16 Jan 2007, 03:19

The winner will get an online certificate signed by the Quizmaster

Is this based on a cumulative score at the end of the quiz series?

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 16 Jan 2007, 03:30

Yep. Cumulative score at the end.(Does that sound reasonable?) The certificate is just to add spice to the whole process.

CML and others
Please feel free to join for any rounds. This quiz is not about winning but about participating and learning.

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 16 Jan 2007, 03:35

We can have Man/woman of the match as well as man of the series too!!

sridevi · Post by **sridevi** » 16 Jan 2007, 03:48

Cumulative scores sounds good.. that means I can still HOPE and say I will make it up in the next round

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:45

DRS, Are you posting the scores, or we keep our scores from the answers you posted?

-Ramakriya

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:45

My scores are not too bad.
I gave multiple answers to some with explanations.
Some are half correct. Did anyone get all correct?

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:47

Best if DRS maintains a running total of our scores centrally. Ensures consistency this way.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:53

I have scored all your entries. Would you like me to post the scores here? I have been lenient in marking and given the benefit of doubt. No. No one got all answers right.

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:55

I don't mind my scores here

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:55

DRS - perhaps you should just post the average scores here. This way our (lack of) knowledge is not publicised!!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:55

We also need a discussion of the answers so that the learning process is complete.
I have heard that Kharaharapriya was the 'invention' of Thyagaraja. If so how could "Before PurandaradAsaru systematised the beginning lessons(saraLe, jaNTi varases and alankAras) in mAyA mALavagauLa" it could have been used?

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:56

jayaram wrote:DRS - perhaps you should just post the average scores here. This way our (lack of) knowledge is not publicised!!

OK, DRS email us.

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 16 Jan 2007, 04:59

it was fun alright... though i got a lot of incorrect answers

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:00

My answer to this question was "a scale similar to current kharaharapriya" based on shaDjagrAma.

The scale of ancient shaDjagrAma was very similar to kharaharapriya - and this was used as the beginning scale. There may not have been a 'rAga' corresponding to the scale.

It is said that Tyagaraja brought back the ancient ShaDjagrAma as kharaharapriya.

Probably DRS will give more details on this.

-Ramakriya

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:01

jayaram wrote:DRS - perhaps you should just post the average scores here. This way our (lack of) knowledge is not publicised!!

Oh

Aren't we too modest

-Ramakriya

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:03

cmlover wrote:We also need a discussion of the answers so that the learning process is complete.
I have heard that Kharaharapriya was the 'invention' of Thyagaraja. If so how could "Before PurandaradAsaru systematised the beginning lessons(saraLe, jaNTi varases and alankAras) in mAyA mALavagauLa" it could have been used?

Although I got that question wrong, the Sama Veda resembles the Kharaharapriya scale and hence that scale pre-dates Thyagaraja.

I don't have an issue about scores being published.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:08

tyAgarAja was instrumental in giving life to kharaharapriya as a full-fledged and full-blooded rAga. That should in no way be taken to mean tha the scale was unknown. The sAmavEda scale was very similar to kharahara[riya scale. Also, note that, rudrapriya, as used by MD and which is a well-known rAga pre-trinity, is very close to kharaharapriya. Also "khara" in kharaharapriya is a suffix added later, it is said, to fit the kaTapayAdi tule. Now harapriya and rudrapriya, is it just a coincidence that ther mean the same thing? I am inclined to think otherwise.

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 16 Jan 2007, 05:08

Ok, the (near)consensus is to publish the scores here. Go for it, DRS! We are all waiting!