"Poets and Pancakes" is a humorous and thoughtful piece written by Asokamitran. It is taken from his autobiography and talks about his time at "Gemini Studios", one of the most famous film studios of India in the 1940s and 1950s.
The title refers to "Pancake", a popular make-up brand used at the studio. It was used so much that the whole building smelled of it. The author starts by describing the make-up room, where people from all backgrounds came to get ready for shooting. The make-up artists would apply thick layers of pancake on the actors’ faces under hot lights. It was not a comfortable process.
The studio was run by "Mr. S.S. Vasan", a strict but kind-hearted man. He wanted to make good films and believed in discipline. Many people worked at Gemini Studios. Most of them had nothing to do with acting or films, but still came every day. Some wrote poems or scripts, and many just came to drink free coffee. They were called “poets” or “intellectuals” by the author. They had big dreams but little work.
One day, an Englishman came to the studio to give a lecture. No one understood what he said because of his accent and complex language. Later, the author found out that he was "Stephen Spender", a famous English poet. This visit made the author curious. Years later, while reading a book in British Library, he saw Spender’s name and realized the man was quite important in the world of literature.
Through this chapter, Asokamitran shows the funny and strange side of the film world. He talks about dreams, struggles, and the gap between art and reality. He also explains how difficult it was to understand English literature and foreign ideas in India at that time.
"Poets and Pancakes" लेखक "अशोकमित्रन" की आत्मकथा से लिया गया एक दिलचस्प और हास्यपूर्ण अंश है। इसमें वे Gemini Studios" में अपने अनुभवों का वर्णन करते हैं, जो 1940 और 1950 के दशक में भारत का प्रसिद्ध फिल्म स्टूडियो था।
शीर्षक "Pancake" एक मशहूर मेकअप ब्रांड की ओर इशारा करता है जिसका इस्तेमाल स्टूडियो में खूब होता था। इससे पूरा स्टूडियो महकता था। लेखक मेकअप रूम का वर्णन करते हैं जहाँ हर पृष्ठभूमि के लोग शूटिंग के लिए तैयार होते थे। मेकअप आर्टिस्ट मोटी परतें चेहरे पर लगाते थे, जो रोशनी की गर्मी में असहज हो जाता था।
स्टूडियो के मालिक थे एस. एस. वासन, जो अनुशासनप्रिय और अच्छे स्वभाव के व्यक्ति थे। कई लोग स्टूडियो में काम करने के नाम पर आते थे लेकिन असल में उनका फिल्म से कोई सीधा संबंध नहीं होता था। वे बस कॉफी पीने या कविताएँ लिखने आते थे। लेखक उन्हें मजाक में "poets" या "intellectuals" कहते हैं।
एक दिन एक अंग्रेजी लेखक (Stephen Spender) भाषण देने स्टूडियो आया, लेकिन लोगों को उसकी अंग्रेजी और बोलने का तरीका समझ नहीं आया। बाद में लेखक ने जाना कि वह एक प्रसिद्ध कवि था। लेखक को यह बात बहुत बाद में समझ आई जब उन्होंने उसका लेख पुस्तकालय में पढ़ा।
यह अध्याय फिल्मी दुनिया की हास्यास्पद, विचित्र और यथार्थ से भरी जिंदगी को दर्शाता है। यह सपना देखने वालों, संघर्ष करने वालों और साहित्यिक दुनिया से दूरी को दर्शाता है।
1. What does 'Pancake' refer to in the chapter?
a) A breakfast item
b) A makeup brand ✔️
c) A camera lens
d) A film name
2. Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?
a) Asokamitran
b) Subbu
c) S.S. Vasan ✔️
d) Stephen Spender
3. What was the job of the author at Gemini Studios?
a) Director
b) Actor
c) Scriptwriter
d) Office worker ✔️
4. Why were people called 'poets' at the studio?
a) They wrote famous poems
b) They looked poetic
c) They had no proper work and wrote poetry ✔️
d) They were actors
5. Who was Stephen Spender?
a) Film director
b) English poet ✔️
c) Studio artist
d) Cameraman
6. Where did the author read about Stephen Spender later?
a) In newspaper
b) In a film magazine
c) In British Library ✔️
d) In a letter
7. How did the author describe the makeup process?
a) Enjoyable
b) Easy
c) Painful and uncomfortable ✔️
d) Relaxing
8. What confused the studio workers during Spender’s speech?
a) His clothes
b) His accent and language ✔️
c) His subject
d) His behavior
9. Who helped manage everything at the studio?
a) The director
b) Subbu ✔️
c) The makeup man
d) The poet
10. What tone does the author use in the story?
a) Angry
b) Sad
c) Humorous and reflective ✔️
d) Boring
Q.1 What does the writer mean by 'The fiery misery' of those subjected to makeup ?
Ans : In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' the writer Asokamitran says that the heat was produced by lights in the make room brought about a lot of discomfort to actors in the makeup room. Hence, the writer refers the pain and uncomfortable situation as fiery misery.
Q.2 What is the example of national integration that the author refers to ?
Ans : In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' the writer Asokamitran says that the makeup department was first headed by a Bangali. He was succeeded by a Maharastrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga. Then different people belonging to different states. This is the example of national integration.
Q.3 What work did the office boy do in the Gemini studio ? Why did he join the studios ? Why was he disappointed ?
Ans : The office boy who was not exactly a boy, worked to apply makeup on the players who played the crowd. He joint the studio because he aspired to be top film actor, screen writer or director or lyrics writer. He was disappointed because he could not become anyone of them.
Q.4 Why did the author appeared to be doing nothing at the studios ?
Ans : The author appeared to be doing nothing at the studio because his work was to cut newspaper clipping and store them in files. People thought that his work was next to nothing and so he was lectured by other employees.
Q.5 Who was Subbu's princiipal ?
Ans : In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' the writer Asokamitran told that Subbu was the No. 2 at the Gemini studio. He was cheerful man. His principal was his Boss Mr. S.S.Vasan.
Q.6 Why was the office boy frustrated ? Who did he show his anger on ?
Ans : The office boy aspired to be top film actor, screen writer or director or lyrics writer. He was frustrated because he could not become anyone of them. He showed his anger on Kothamanglam Subbu who was the No.2 at Gemini studio.
Q.7 Subbu is described as a many sided genius. List his special abilities.
Ans : Subbu is described as a many sided genius. His special abilities are -
1 He always looks cheerful even after having a flop film.
2 He always says nice things about everything and everyone.
3 Subbu can offer countless solution to the problems of the producer of a film.
4 He is also a writer, poet and novelist.
5 He has a habit of smiling even in distress and failure.
Q.8 Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others ?
Ans : The legal adviser who was a lawyer was referred to as the opposite by others because he had unintentionally brought about a sad end to the career of a budding talented actress by recording her outburst against the producer.
Q.9 What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studio ?
Ans : The lawyer stood out from the others at Gemini studio because he wore pants and tie while the other members of the story department wore khadi dhoti and white khadi shirt.
Q.10 Did the people at Gemini studios have any particular political affiliation ?
Ans : The people at Gemini studios did not have any particular political affiliations. They only wore khadi and greatly appreciated Gandhiji.
Q.11 Why was the 'Moral Rearmament Army' welcomed at the studios ?
Ans : The Moral Rearmament Army (MRA) was welcomed at the studios because someone called the group an international circus. MRA was a counter movement to international communism visited Madras in 1952. The MRA presented two plays - 'Jothamvalley' and 'The Forgotten Factor'.
Q.12 Who was the Boss of Gemini studios ?
Ans : In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes' the writer Asokamitran told that Mr. S.S. Vasan was the Boss of Gemini studios. He was the founder of the Gemini studios.
Q.13 Name one example to show that Gemini studios was influenced by the plays stage by MRA.
Ans : Madras and Tamil drama community included scenes of 'sunrise and sunset' in the manner of 'Jotham Valley' in almost all of their plays. This shows how the plays, stages by MRA influenced Gemini studios.
Q.14 What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini studio ?
Ans : The pronunciation of Stephen Spender, the Englilshman, was the main cause of the lack of communication between him and the people at Gemini studios. Apart from that, the people did not have any idea about what he was talking.
Q.15 Who was the english visitor to the studios ?
Ans : The english visitor to the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an editor of 'The Encounter'.
Q.16 What does "The God That Failed" refer to ?
Ans : "The God That Failed" refers to the low priced student edition. The book "The God That Failed" released on 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. It was a compilation of six essays by six different authors on their journey into communism and their disappointed return.
Q.17 Why was Kothamanglam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini studio ?
Ans : Kothamanglam Subbu was considered No. 2 in Gemini studio because he always looked cheerful even after having a flop film. He was neither well educated nor had any talent. He was close with the Boss S.S. Vasan. He could offer countless solution to the problem of the producer of a film.
Q.18 What was pancake ?
Ans : Pancake was the brand name of makeup material which the Gemini studio brought in the truck loads for the makeup to the artist working in the Gemini studio.
Q.19 Explain 'Poetry and films'.
Ans : In India, poetry and films are interrelated. The people at the Gemini studio had no idea of english poetry because these people were not educated enough to be poets.
Q.1 Give the character sketch of Subbu.
Ans : Introduction : The present question has been taken from the chapter "Poets and Pancakes" written by Ashokamitran. In this story the writer tells about the Gemini studios.
The character sketch of Subbu : In this story the writer told that Subbu's full name was Kothamanglam Subblu. Subbu was no. 2 at the Gemini studios. He was always looking with his boss Mr. S.S. Vasan. Subbu looked always cheerful even after having a glop film. he was a writer, poet and novelist also. According to the office boy he did not deserve anything because he was neither well educated nor had andy brilliant talent. He was Brahmin. He always said a nice things about everything and everyone. He had a habit of smiling. He could offer a countless solution to the problems of the producer. He was ever loyal to the chief. Subbu performed a minor roles. His house was always filled with relatives. He was very close the Boss and therefore, he had various enemies.