Our famous 'Namesakes' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dawn

* Robotic spacecraft Dawn, launched at Cape Canaveral in 2007, is scheduled to explore asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres between the years 2011 and 2015.
* Dawn French is probably best known for her hilarious portrayal of "The Vicar of Dibley."
* "Dawn (Go Away)" was released by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in 1964.

Answer: David

"David" was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. He was given the title of Prince of Wales when his father became King, and is said to have been very popular with the people of England. He succeeded to the throne as Edward VIII upon his father's death in January 1936.
In December of that same year, Edward made a radio broadcast, informing the nation of his plans to abdicate the throne and marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.

Answer: Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell has been one of the most influential musical artists from the 1960s onwards. She's a guitarist, composer and vocalist in several genres, including pop, jazz and folk music. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, has won numerous Grammys and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Answer: M N Srinivas

M N Srinivas (1916-1999), took his doctorate from the Oxford University and worked extensively on the caste system in India. He coined and elaborated on the concept of "sanskritisation" which he defined as a process by which "a 'low' or middle Hindu caste, or tribal or other group, changes its customs, ritual ideology, and way of life in the direction of a high and frequently 'twice-born' caste. Generally such changes are followed by a claim to a higher position in the caste hierarchy than that traditionally conceded to the claimant class by the local community ... ." (quote courtesy: wikipedia)

Srinivas was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the government of India for his contribution to anthropology.

The others named here are all distinguished personalities in their own rights. Srinivasa Ramanujan is considered one of India's greatest mathematicians, U Srinivas is a noted mandolin artiste, while Srinivasa Venkatraghavan captained India in Test cricket and in the first two ODI World Cups.

Answer: Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon was a former commander in the Israeli army and the 11th prime minister of Israel. Sharon resigned from the Likud party and formed the Kadima after facing stiff opposition for his 'Disengagement Plan' which involved the eviction of all Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip and four other settlements in the West Bank.

Unfortunately, Sharon suffered a stroke within weeks of forming the new party and was succeeded by Ehud Olmert, both as the leader of the party and the next prime minister of Israel.

Answer: La Gioconda

After Lisa's marriage to Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo, her husband commissioned her portrait to be painted by none other than Leonardo da Vinci. This portrait is now known variously as, "La Gioconda," "La Joconde," or more famously as "The Mona Lisa."

"La Stupenda" is a name given to Australian coloratura soprano Dame Joan Sutherland.
"Tralala" is a character from Hugh Selby Jr's work, "Last Exit to Brooklyn."
"La Bamba" is a well-known Mexican folk song.

Answer: Ramanand Sagar

Chandramauli was given the name "Ramanand" by his adopted parents. He founded a production company known as Sagar Films (Pvt. Ltd.) and became well-known throughout India in the late 1980s and '90s as Ramanand Sagar after the huge success of his "Ramayan" series.

He went on to make other succesful TV serials like "Vikram Aur Betaal" and "Krishna". Ramanand Sagar also made many successful films and has also won a few Filmfare awards.

Answer: Rogue Trader

Barings Bank was the UK's oldest investment bank and among others had Queen Elizabeth as one of its clients. Leeson ran up $1.3 billion in losses between 1992 and 1995 by making risky bets in derivatives and other financial instruments, causing the 233 year old bank to collapse. After serving four years out of a six and a half year prison sentence, Leeson was released on being diagnosed with colon cancer. He survived the illness and by 2007 had risen to the post of CEO of the Irish football club, Galway United.

The movie starred Ewan McGregor in the title role.

Answer: Sholay

Sholay was directed by Ramesh Sippy. Raj Kapoor acted and directed in all the remaining three movies mentioned here. "Awara" was nominated for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival while Raj Kapoor won the Filmfare Best Director award for "Mera Naam Joker". Raj Kapoor's brothers, Shammi and Sashi and his sons, Randhir and Rishi are all well known actors in Bollywood.

Answer: Jay Leno

Jay Leno hosted "The Tonight Show" from 1992 to May 2009. His contract was not renewed in spite of high television ratings. Conan O'Brien replaced Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" while Jay Leno went on to host "The Jay Leno Show". However, due to a conflict in the time slots, Jay Leno was recalled to "The Tonight Show" in March 2010.