NE EDUCATION BUREAU
CHENNAI, AUG 23
What happens when a city’s memories become questions, its streets become clues and its heritage becomes the answer? At a time when Chennai is celebrating 387 years of its distinctive identity, the Madras Quiz for Schools and Madras Quiz (Open) 2026 offered a spirited answer: curiosity can be one of the most powerful ways of keeping a city’s past alive.
- Madras Quiz for Schools draws 88 teams as young minds decode the city’s past and present
- Open Quiz attracts 78 teams, taking total participation to 166 teams at iconic Victoria Public Hall
- Jayakanthan R and Kartik Ramadas emerge winners of Madras Quiz (Open) 2026
- PSBB, K.K. Nagar duo K L Dheeraj and Ramesh Krishna S clinch Schools Quiz title
- Murugappa Group’s Madras Week celebration turns Chennai’s history, heritage and culture into an engaging quiz arena
Presented by the Murugappa Group as part of Madras Week and conducted by renowned quizmaster Dr Sumanth C Raman, the twin quizzes brought together 166 teams at the historic Victoria Public Hall on Sunday, turning the iconic venue into a lively meeting ground for students, quiz enthusiasts and Chennai lovers.
The theme — “Manasellaam Madras, Vibe-ellaam Chennai” — resonated through questions that celebrated the city’s history, heritage, culture, people and unmistakable character. Prizes and gift vouchers worth ₹70,000 were on offer across the two quizzes.
Schools Quiz: Young minds take centre stage
The Madras Quiz for Schools 2026 witnessed participation from 88 teams representing schools across Chennai. After a closely fought final, K L Dheeraj and Ramesh Krishna S of PSBB, K.K. Nagar, emerged winners, taking home gift vouchers worth ₹6,000.
Dev Naveen and Aakush A Dhanujnath of B V Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk, finished as first runners-up and won gift vouchers worth ₹4,000, while S Lokeshwar and Sanjeev S of The Grove School, Teynampet, secured the second runners-up position with gift vouchers worth ₹3,000.
The top two teams — PSBB, K.K. Nagar and B V Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk — also earned the opportunity to compete in the Madras Quiz (Open) later in the day. They received trophies sponsored by Chola MS, along with gift vouchers and Parry hampers.
The Schools Quiz also celebrated individual sparks of creativity and enthusiasm. Puzhal to Parrys, comprising A Dilip and Tannu Sheoran of Sri Venkateswara Public School, Puzhal, won the Best Team Name prize. Athula Krishna and Kamaleshraja R of DAV, Gill Nagar, were adjudged the Most Energetic Team, while S Manan Bafna of Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam, Rajah Annamalaipuram, won the Golden Guess Accolade.
Participants in the Schools Quiz competed for prizes and gift vouchers totalling ₹20,000.
‘Learning extends beyond the classroom’
Congratulating the winners and participants, Narayanan Hariharan, Senior AVP & Chief Executive, AMM Foundation, said the enthusiasm displayed by students underscored the value of making learning engaging and connected to the world around them.
“At the AMM Foundation, we believe learning extends beyond the classroom, and initiatives such as these provide young learners with engaging opportunities to explore the city’s history, heritage and culture.”
He said the curiosity and knowledge demonstrated by the students reinforced the importance of creating platforms that make learning both meaningful and enjoyable.
“Through such initiatives, the Murugappa Group and the AMM Foundation seek to nurture informed, curious and culturally aware young minds.”
Referring to this year’s theme, he added:
“‘Manasellaam Madras, Vibe-ellaam Chennai’ perfectly captures the pride, nostalgia and dynamism that Chennai inspires.”
Open Quiz: Chennai’s trivia gets tougher
The afternoon session raised the bar with the Madras Quiz (Open) 2026, which attracted 78 teams and brought together participants across age groups.
Jayakanthan R and Kartik Ramadas emerged winners, lifting the prestigious rolling trophy and receiving gift vouchers worth ₹15,000.
K Palani and A Santhanan finished as first runners-up and won ₹10,000 in gift vouchers, while Srinivasa Ramanujam and Deepa Alexander secured the second runners-up position, taking home ₹8,000.
The Open Quiz also recognised diversity beyond the leaderboard. Hema and Janani, under the team name Kaapi Strong Kelvi Wrong, won the Best Women’s Team prize. K Suresh and K Murali, representing Step away from Dementia, were named Best Senior Citizens’ Team, while Richu Mariam Roby and Fernando Ousje S, with the unmistakably Chennai-flavoured name Adengappa! Idhu Murugappa, won Best Team Name.
The Open Quiz offered prizes and gift vouchers totalling ₹50,000.
‘A shared love for Chennai and its many stories’
Ashiq JAH, COO, EID Parry India Ltd, the Chief Guest, said the Madras Quiz had evolved into an integral part of Madras Week celebrations by bringing together people from different generations and backgrounds.
“The Madras Quiz has become a cherished part of Madras Week celebrations, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds through a shared love for Chennai and its many stories.”
He said the enthusiastic participation across age groups reflected the spirit of the year’s theme.
“It was wonderful to see participants across age groups engage so enthusiastically in a contest that truly reflected this year’s theme, ‘Manasellaam Madras, Vibe-ellaam Chennai’.”
Drawing a parallel between the city’s history and the Murugappa Group’s own long association with Chennai, he added:
“As the Murugappa Group marks over 125 years alongside a city that celebrates its 387th year, events such as these are a meaningful reminder of the enduring bond between Chennai and institutions that have grown with it over generations.”
When a quiz becomes a celebration of a city
The competitive spirit continued beyond the main contests, with audiences at Victoria Public Hall and those participating virtually also winning spot prizes.
From school students discovering the city through questions to seasoned quiz enthusiasts testing their knowledge, the twin events demonstrated that Chennai’s heritage need not remain confined to archives, museums or history books. It can live through conversations, memories, clues, laughter — and the thrill of arriving at the right answer.
The 2026 edition of the Madras Quiz thus turned Madras Week into more than a commemoration of a city’s anniversary. It became an inter-generational celebration of everything that makes Chennai memorable — its stories, its people, its past and, above all, its enduring ability to make curiosity feel like home.
