TriviaTales & Captures! #31
A voyage through 3 trivia’s, 2 fun facts, 1 photograph.
A newsletter recommending good examples of storytelling across:
3 Trivia
2 Fun Facts, and
1 Photograph.
Let's dive in…
Trivia’s:
1. India:
In the 12th century, Salvi silk weavers from Maharashtra migrated to Gujarat, this led to the creation of a highly valued textile that became a symbol of social status, particularly among Gujarati women. The art of this textile, which features intricate double ikat patterns and has been cherished for over 850 years, is believed to have roots in techniques depicted in the Ajanta Caves.
Today, it remains a significant part of various cultural celebrations and is known for its distinct patterns, including motifs like parrots and flowers, geometric designs, and plain borders with bird designs.
The term also is a popular Punjabi term that means "beautiful woman" or "elegant girl." It is often used in Punjabi music and lyrics.
What is the name of this traditional fabric?
2. General:
At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a notable change was made to the that deviated from the traditional rust-red color seen in past Olympic Games. This change was part of a broader effort to create a visually unique and memorable experience for both athletes and spectators. The new color choice not only aligns with the event's official colors but also includes a distinctive combination of shades.
It is believed that they are made from recycled materials, as it is an environmentally friendly practice. It reduces the need for mining calcium carbonate, which typically involves significant carbon emissions and waste. These material are rich in calcium carbonate, a key material needed for building resilient and durable flooring.
What color did Paris 2024 choose and for what? What was the material used?
3. Music:
This song is from a Hindi-language movie, composed by A. R. Rahman, lyrics penned by Gulzar.
The composition is based on Raga Nattai/Jog, which was a chart topper of the year 1998 and this song's lyrics is said to be one of the finest and predominantly in Urdu. Guy Pratt, Pink Floyd bass guitarist for post Roger Waters played bass on this song.
Identify the song.
Fun Facts:
The prizes at the Olympics have evolved quite a bit over time! In ancient Greece, winners got a simple olive branch, symbolizing their victory. By the time of the modern Olympics, the prizes varied from silver medals with olive branches to elaborate trophies. The gold medals we know today were introduced in 1904, but were solid gold only until 1912. Now, they’re mostly made of silver and coated with a thin layer of pure gold.
For this year's Paris Games, each gold medal contains 523 grams of silver and just 6 grams of gold. Despite their composition, the real value of these medals comes from their rich history and the stories they tell—one of which inspired a Persian regent to marvel at the Olympic spirit of competing for glory rather than money!
Unusual Olympic Sports- Plunge for Distance- At the 1900 Games in Paris, organizers decided to combine the long jump with swimming, because…well, we don’t know why! The result was plunge for distance, in which competitors dove into the pool and then remained still for one minute or until their heads came to the surface. The person who glided the farthest won. Perhaps not surprisingly, only five competitors entered the event, all of whom were Americans. William Dickey won after traveling about 62.5 feet (19.1 meters). Also not surprising, the event was never held again.
Photograph of the Day:
India Gate:
The India Gate, originally known as the All India War Memorial, is a prominent war memorial located in New Delhi. It commemorates 74,187 soldiers of the Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 during World War I. The names of 13,300 servicemen, including some from the United Kingdom, are inscribed on the gate. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the gate draws inspiration from ancient Roman triumphal arches, such as the Arch of Constantine in Rome, and later memorial arches. It is often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
India Gate is one of the largest war memorials in India and is a popular spot for both tourists and civil society protests.
History: The foundation stone of the gate, then named the All India War Memorial, was laid on February 10, 1921, by the visiting Duke of Connaught. During the ceremony, the Viceroy remarked that the memorial would honor the heroism of both "known and unknown" soldiers and inspire future generations with their courage and valor. The Duke also read a message from the King, which emphasized that the memorial would keep the sacrifice of the Indian Army officers and men in the thoughts of future generations.
On February 12, 1931, a decade after the foundation stone was laid, the memorial was inaugurated by Lord Irwin. He expressed the hope that those who view the monument might reflect on the sacrifice and service of those commemorated by the names inscribed upon its walls.
Below the word "INDIA," the inscription reads: "To the dead of the Indian Armies who fell and are honored in France and Flanders, Mesopotamia and Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and Far East, and in Sacred Memory also of those whose names are here recorded and who fell in India on the North West Frontier and during the Third Afghan War."
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Answers:
The running track been painted purple, the material used is bivalve mollusc shells, such as those from mussels and clams, sourced from the Mediterranean Sea!
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It's my all-time favorite song. Do give it a listen!
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