Movies/Music/ People
Which Bollywood superstar decided to swap filmi love for a pop prince and married Nick Jonas?
Priyanka Chopra
The indian movie industry is called
Bollywood
What language is spoken the majority of the time in Bollywood movies?
Hindi
What are three different types of flatbreads within the South Asian diaspora?
Roti, Naan, Paratha, Chapati, Paratha, Bust Up Shirt, etc.
What is the name of the oil-lit clay lamps that are lit on the eve of Diwali?
Diya
Which monument was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal?
The Taj Mahal
Name SIX South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diasporic countries. Bonus points if you can name more.
Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh
How many popcorn-worthy hours does a typical Bollywood extravaganza run?
2.5 hours
Back in the earlier era of Bollywood classics, scripts were written in what language?
Urdu
What Bollywood actor is famous in Bollywood for his "angry young man" persona, intense acting, deep baritone voice?
Amitabh Bachchan
Fried dough balls soaked in a rose-flavored syrup are called?
Gulub Jamun
The Sikh community also observes Diwali. What do they call it? Bonus point if you know its significance in the Sikh faith?
Banda Chorr Divas
Prisoner Release Day of their 6th Guru
They still light diyas on this day at the gurdwara (sikh place of worship)
What popular game of strategy can be traced back to Ancient India?
Chess
Name a region in South Asia that is split between two countries
Panjab (Bengal as well)
Which movie is known as the first Bollywood film to be nominated for an Oscar?
Mother India
Who is Hema’s favorite Bollywood singer?
Arjit Singh
Name the Bollywood actor and Bollywood actress known as the best dancers in Bollywood?
Hrithik Roshan and Madhuri Dixit
What is a dish of meat or vegetables in a spiced sauce, originating from the Indian subcontinent and now popular worldwide? Its flavor is defined by a blend of spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, which can vary greatly depending on the region and preparation.
Curry
What is the name of the intricate patterns created on the floor at the entrance of homes using colored powders, flowers, or rice flour to welcome guests and deities?
Rangoli
While Henna refers to the name of the popularly used flowering plant and plant dye, this word refers to the art form of applying the henna plant’s paste or powder to the skin.
Mehndi
Name the South Asian country that was never colonized.
Nepal
What is the name of the first ever Bollywood song that was nominated for an Oscar?
Naatu Naatu
Growing up, Seema’s favorite actress starred in classics like Devdas and as an adult, her favorite actress kicked off her career in the bollywood hit Om Shanti Om! Name these two actresses.
Aishwarya Rai & Deepika Padukone
What is the name of the Bollywood movie that is set during the Victorian era where a group of people play a game of cricket with the British Indian Army in exchange for not having to pay taxes. (Bonus points if you can name the leading actor)
Lagaan + Amir Khan
What is the main ingredient of dhaal?
Lentils
Diwali is also known as the:
Festival of Lights
South Asia is one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world with over 100 different languages spoken in the region. Name six different languages spoken in South Asia
Bengali, Panjabi, Baluchi, Hindi, Tibetan, Nepali, Sindhi, Tamil
Ceylon was the former name of what South Asian country?
Sri Lanka
What actor is famous for starring in movies that portray real life struggles such as Islamophobia and identity, social injustice and highlighting women in sports? Bonus points if you can name the movies!
Shah Ruh Khan (My name is Khan, Jaavan, and Chak de India)
What is the name of a popular talk show that is hosted by a famous tv personality and filmmaker? Bonus point if you can name the first and last name of the talk show host
Koffee with Karan (Karan Johar)
What Bollywood director, producer, screenwriter, editor and music composer is known for his time period movies? Bonus points if you can name the movies he’s most famous for.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali + Devdas
What is the English translation of garam masala, a spice blend used in many Indian dishes?
Hot Spice
Which Hindu goddess is celebrated and honored during Diwali? Bonus points if you share what she represents and is revered for.
Goddess Lakshmi–goddess of abundance and prosperity
The "scandinavian scarf” refers to a viral trend and TikTok/social media cultural appropriation controversy that tried to rebrand what classic Indian garment? Bonus points if you can share other names for this article of clothing.
Dupatta (chunni or orni/orna)
What South Asian country is “Himalayan” Pink Salt from? Bonus points if you know the name of the mine.
Pakistan
Khewra Salt Mine
Fun Fact: It’s not actually from the Himalayas, but just south of it.
What is the name of the two-headed barrel drum from South Asia?
Dholak
What Bollywood movie was inspired by a news story about a contestant cheating on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Slumdog Millionaire
Name THREE Bollywood nepo babies
Ahaan Panday
Aryan Khan
Janhvi Kapoor
What is the name of this Indo-Caribbean dessert fudge that is made with evaporated milk and sugar?
Pera/Peera
Every year, there is a Diwali Motorcade that happens in New York City to celebrate the festival of lights. In which New York City neighborhood does this take place?
Richmond Hill
Name the popular natural dye used for clothes that is originally from India.
Indigo (literally means “from India” in Greek)
The largest single drop waterfall in the world is located in what country that has a large Indo-Caribbean community?
Guyana
Kaiteur Falls
This type of music combines Indian folk melodies with calypso and soca. Bonus points if you can name the country this music genre originated from?
Chutney–Trinidad and Tobago
What actress was the first Indian and South Asian actress to be featured on the Oprah Winfrey show?
Aishwarya Rai
How many Bollywood Blockbusters does India produce each year?
Over 1,000
What is the name of this Indo-Caribbean dessert made with fried dough that includes ripe bananas?
Gulgula
Diwali is a lunar holiday which always aligns with which moon phase and toggles between which two months of the year?
New Moon
October/November
The world’s first residential university in the world is located in South Asia, in present-day India. It predates the University of Oxford and predates Europe’s oldest University in the world, Bologna by more than 500 years. What is the name of this university? Bonus points if you can name an even older South Asian university dating back to the 10th century BCE in present-day Pakistan.
Nalanda University
Takshashila University (Present-day pakistan)
The tallest mountain chain in the world is located in South Asia and is called?
The Himalayas
Who are referred to as the three Khans of Bollywood?
Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan
Which 2009 film is based on the terrorist attacks of 9/11?
New York
Which Bollywood actor holds the record for the most Filmfare Awards for Best Actor?
Amitabh Bachchan
What are the names of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean snacks that you’re having today?
Doubles
Samosa
The word Diwali originates from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which translates to?
Row of Lights
Western wellness trends like box breathing and hair “slugging” find its roots in what ancient Indian medical system that’s over 5,000 years old and considered to be the oldest formal healing system in the world (that predates ?
Ayurveda
Name the two countries with a significant Indo-Caribbean community that are located in South America, but not considered a part of Latin America?
Guyana and Suriname