Heritage Quiz in Kolkata Celebrates Legacy of India’s Open Quizzing Movement

Kolkata, March 24, 2026 — Nearly six decades after it first sparked a culture of open quizzing in India, the 59th edition of the Eddie Hyde Memorial Open Quiz was held on March 21 at the parish hall of the Church of Christ the King, reaffirming its status as a landmark event in the country’s intellectual and cultural life.

Widely regarded as India’s first open quiz, the competition traces its origins to November 1967, when the late Neil O’Brien conducted the inaugural edition at the same venue. Instituted in memory of Eddie Hyde, the first president of the parish club, the event laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant quizzing movement across the nation.

Organised by the parish in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Calcutta, the annual quiz continues to rank among Kolkata’s four heritage quizzes, drawing participants from across generations. This year saw the participation of 30 teams, bringing together veteran quizzers and first-time contenders in a spirited and competitive atmosphere.

Proceedings began with a written qualifying round in which teams of four attempted 24 questions covering a wide spectrum of subjects, including history, geography, science, literature and films. Eight teams progressed to the finals, where the competition intensified.

Quizmaster Barry Antunis, assisted by Nigel Vincent, steered the final rounds through a series of engaging formats such as anagrams, visual connections, audio identification and sequence-based questions. The closely contested finale kept participants and audience on edge until the final question.

Sarbomongala Sporting Club clinched the title after a gripping finish, followed by Hammer & Tongs as first runners-up and Quiz Lovers of Kolkata in third place. A special prize recognised Banshees of Answering for their consistent commitment to quizzing, while St Xavier’s Collegiate School was honoured for achieving the highest score among school teams in the qualifying round—an initiative aimed at encouraging young quizzers.

Reflecting on the competition, Ranjan Roychowdhury of the winning team noted the high standard of the questions and the unpredictability of the outcome, saying the winners remained uncertain until the very end.

Parish priest Fr. Gregory Monteiro expressed satisfaction with both participation and quality. Looking ahead, he said plans are already underway to mark the 60th edition next year with greater significance.

The prizes were distributed by Fr. Moloy D’Costa, Vicar-General of the Archdiocese, along with Fr. Monteiro, who presented certificates, trophies and gift hampers to the winners.

As the Eddie Hyde Memorial Open Quiz approaches its diamond jubilee, its enduring appeal across generations continues to highlight its vital role in shaping and sustaining India’s quizzing tradition.

By Catholic Connect Reporter