D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6
6 ——Asokamitran
About the Author
Ashokmitran was born in Secunderabad on 22
September 1931. He spent the first twenty years
of his life there. His real name was Jagadisa
Thyagarajan. He moved to Chennai in 1952 after the
death of his father. His father’s friend, S.S. Vasan
who was a film director and the owner of Gemini
Studios, invited him to work at Studios. He worked
for more than a decade at the Gemini Studios.
Theme
An account of the events and personalities in a film
company in the early days of Indian cinema.
Justification of the Title
Gemini studio has some great poets like SDS
Yogiar, Sangue Subramanyam, Harindranath
Chattopadhyaya. They were insignificant poets but
thought themselves as they are excellent. They were
not talented but wasted lots of money of Vasan.
Gemini studio also was the most influential film
producing organization of India, where over 600
staff worked, the Gemini Studios made movie
for Tamilnadu and other southern Indian states.
Pancakes was the make-up material that Gemini
studios bought in truck-loads. So the title ‘Poets and
Pancakes’ is apt and appropriate.
Message
The message of the lesson is simple and straight.
Everyone should be dedicated to their profession
irrespective of caste, colour or creed. This is what
happened in Gemini studios where the artists were
always busy in their own assignment how small or big
position they had. They had no political association or
inclination, they were rather united with a common
goal of making movies. Moreover, when MRA tried
to influence about communism it failed to produce
effects on the artists, so one unity counts at every
step.
273
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
Poets and Pancakes
Summary
The story “Poets and Pancakes” is a passage
from Asokamitran’s book “My Years with Boss”.
Asokamitran talks about his days at the Gemini
Studio. The Gemini Studios produced many films,
which impacted the aspect of Indian life. Here,
Asokamitran talks about a trendy make-up brand
named Pancake. This material was bought and
used in the studio. He also names the few actresses
who used the brand. The Gemini Studios used the
Pancake brand excessively and ordered truckloads
of their commodities.
He talks about the office boy whose task was to slap
paint onto the faces of the players at the time of
crowd-shooting. He states that the office boy once
yearned to be a director, actor, screenwriter, or
lyricist. However, he blamed his disgrace on Subbu.
In those days, the author worked inside a cubicle
and had the job of gathering newspaper cuttings
which, according to others, was unimportant. Thus,
the office boy would come to bother him with his
complaints. The office boy was probably jealous of
Subbu’s growth. Subbu was very close to his boss.
When the boss had any problem in doing a scene in a
film, Subbu could recommend several practical ideas.
As Subbu was Brahmin, the author thought he had
the upper hand. Though Subbu was always beside his
boss, he was also a member of the story department.
Besides poets and writers in the story department,
there existed a lawyer too. Formally he was known
as a legal adviser. However, people called him the
opposite of it. Once the legal adviser unconsciously
destroyed the career of a talented actress.
In the story of Poet and Pancakes, the narrator talks
about another guest who visited Gemini Studios.
He was an Englishman. Some thought him to be a
poet or an editor. The Boss, Mr. Vasan, greeted the
Englishman. He read out a long speech expressing
freedom and democracy. Then the Englishman
conversed. His accent baffled everyone. They could
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

not understand the purpose of his visit, and it
remained a mystery.
Years later, when the writer left the Gemini studios,
he did not have much money but had much free time.
So, discounted goods on sale interested him. Once the
writer came across a book that had six essays written
by six famous men who wrote about communalism.
The authors of the book were Richard Wright, Louis
Fischer, and Stephen Spender. As the writer read
Stephen’s name, it reminded him of the days when
Spenders visited Gemini Studios.
Finally, in the summary of Poets and Pancakes, we
can see the notions of the film industry, particularly
in India.
Talking about Indian cinema, we receive a lot of
films every year but the success of a movie solely
depends upon the other people working backstage.
If these people are not there, then it is not even
possible for us to have good films. India has films in
multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu,
Kennedy, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, and so on. The Indian
film industry is a global enterprise. Indian movies
are famous all around the world and people love to
watch them.
CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
The Gemini studio was located in Madras (Chennai).
The writer recounts his years in the company.
The make-up department was in the upstairs of
a building that was believed to have been Robert
Clive’s stables.
Pancake was the brand name of the make-up
material used by the artists in Gemini Studios.
The make-up room had the look of a hair -cutting
salon with incandescent lights at all angles around
half a dozen large mirrors, the writer speaks about
the ‘fiery misery’ ‘of those subjected to make-up.
There was a great deal of ‘national integration’ in the
department and a strict hierarchy was maintained
there.
The players who played the crowd were the
responsibility of the ‘office boy’ in his early forties, a
frustrated person, who turned all his anger towards
Kothamanagalam Subbu.
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings
and store them in files.
Most people including the ‘boy’ thought author was
doing ‘next to nothing’.
S S Vasan (Editor of Tamil weekly ‘Ananada
Vikatan’) was the owner of the Studios.
Subbu was the No.2. at Gemini Studios – a Brahmin,
274 English Cor -X
e
II
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
had the ability to look cheerful at all times, could
be ‘inspired when commanded’, was tailor-made for
films, had a separate identity as a poet and actor, had
a genuine love for bothers, was charitable, always
seen with the Boss, attached to Story.
Department. Story Department – assembly of poets
and writers wore khadi.
A lawyer(legal adviser) – referred to as ‘the opposite’-
caused the end of a brief and the brilliant career
of a talented actress, looked ‘alone and helpless’, a
man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers, close to the
Boss, wore pants, coat and a tie, attached to Story
Department, lost his job when the Story Department
was closed down.
Gemini studios –a favourite haunt of poets, an
excellent mess which supplied good coffee, Congress
rule meant prohibition, almost everyone radiated
leisure, wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi, averse
to Communism.
Visit of MRA (a kind of counter-movement to
International Communism) in 1952- presented two
plays ‘The Forgotten Factor’ and ‘Jotham Valley’ in
a professional manner impressed Madras and Tamil
drama community.
Another visitor – a poet from England, tall man,
very English, addressed ‘a more dazed and silent
audience’, visit remained an unexplained mystery,
staff did not know whether he was a poet or an editor.
Author’s conviction about prose-writers –‘prose
writing is for the patient, persistent, persevering
drudge’, short story contest by a British periodical
‘The Encounter’-found in the British Council Library
almost untouched by readers’, discovered Stephen
Spender was the editor.
The author bought ‘The God That Failed’ years later
–six essays describing the disillusionment of six
eminent men of letters with Communism, Stephen
Spender one among them, the author suddenly
realized the relevance of his visit to Gemini studios.
Type I. Refe ence o on ex
r
t
C
t
t
Read the extracts given below and attempt the
questions that follow:
1. The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting
salon with lights at all angles around half a
dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent
lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery
of those subjected to make-up. The make-up
department was first headed by a Bengali who
became too big for a studio and left. He was
succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted
by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was
a great deal of national integration long before
A.I.R. and Doordarshan began broadcasting
programmes on national integration. This gang
of nationally integrated make-up men could turn
any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson
Answers
hued monster with the help of truck-loads of
pancake and a number of other locally made
potions and lotions.
Questions
(i) How did the make-up room get the look of a
hair-cutting salon?
(a) A lot of hair-cutting was going on in the
make-up room.
(b) Most of the make-up men were barbers and
slowly they gave it a look of a salon.
(c) It had lights at all angles and half a dozen
large mirrors.
(d) People came to the make-up room to get
their hair cut and trimmed.
(ii) How did those subjected to make-up suffer a
fiery misery?
(iii) Why was there national integration long
before A.I.R and Doordarshan in the make-up
department?
(a) Make-up of different states were practised
here.
(b) They did make up for actors and actresses
from different states
(c) The staff consisted of a Bengali, a
Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and
Tamils.
(d) The staff studied the various types of make-
up from different states and applied them
on the actors.
(iv) Why did the make up men make the actors look
like hideous crimson hued monsters?
(a) They had a lot of make-up potions and
lotions and wanted to use them.
(b) It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up
was needed to look good in the movies.
Questions
(c) They loved putting on make-up and
plastered it on their faces.
(d) They thought they were looking very
beautiful and presentable with it, so they
applied more and more.
(v) Where was the make-up room located?
(a) In Chennai
(b) In the Gemini Studio
(c) In Mumbai
(d) In Andhra Pradesh
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
(vi) The Bengali make-up man left because
(a) the weather troubled him
(b) he became too proud of his fame
(c) he became too fat
(d) he became too tall
(i) (c) It had lights at all angles and half a dozen
large mirrors.
(ii) The lights were all incandescent lights and the
heat they produced was terrible.
(iii) (c) The staff consisted of a Bengali, a
Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and
Tamils.
(iv) (b) It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up
was needed to look good in the movies.
(v) (b) In the Gemini Studio
(vi) (b) he became too proud of his fame
2. This man of the make-up department was
convinced that all his woes, ignominy and neglect
were due to Kothamangalam Subbu. Subbu was
the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He couldn’t have
had a more encouraging opening in films than
our grown-up make-up boy had. On the contrary
he must have had to face more uncertain and
difficult times, for when he began his career,
there were no firmly established film producing
companies or studios. Even in the matter of
education, specially formal education, Subbu
couldn’t have had an appreciable lead over our
boy. But by virtue of being born a Brahmin — a
virtue, indeed!— he must have had exposure to
more affluent situations and people. He had the
ability to look cheerful at all times even after
having had a hand in a flop film. He always had
work for somebody — he could never do things
on his own— but his sense of loyalty made him
identify himself with his principal completely
and turn his entire creativity to his principal’s
advantage.
(i) What was the office boy from the make-up
department convinced of Subbu?
(ii) What is the appreciable lead that Subbu had
over the make-up department office boy?
(a) He had a more encouraging opening in films.
(b) He did not have to face uncertainties and
difficult times like the office boy.
(c) He was better educated than the office boy.
(d) He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin.
Po ts an Pan ak s 275
e
d
c
e
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

(iii) What was unique about Subbu?
(a) He always had a frown on his forehead.
(b) He looked cheerful all times even if he had
a hand in flop film.
(c) He was always cutting papers and sticking
them in a file.
(d) He did not have a single good word to say
to anyone.
(iv) How did Subbu work at Gemini Studios?
(a) All his creativity was towards his principal’s
advantage.
(b) He was seen lazing around doing nothing
for hours.
(c) He set himself up to supervise the office boy
of the make-up department.
(d) He was a story writer and was always
writing new scripts.
(v) What does the expression ‘Subbu was the No.
2 at the Gemini studios’, mean?
(vi) Subbu was ‘tailor-made’ for film because of his
(a) creativity and resourcefulness
(b) cheerful personality
(c) loyalty to his principal
(d) involvement with all parts of film-making
Answers
(i) He was convinced that all his woes, ignominy
and neglect was due to Subbu.
(ii) (d) He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin.
(iii) (b) He looked cheerful all times even if he had
a hand in flop film.
(iv) (a) All his creativity was towards his principal’s
advantage.
(v) It means that Subbu was the 2nd important
person in the studio.
(vi) (a) creativity and resourcefulness
3. They weren’t very good on the trapeze and their
acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner
table, but they presented two plays in a most
professional manner. Their ‘Jotham Valley’ and
‘The Forgotten Factor’ ran several shows in Madras
and along with the other citizens of the city, the
Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over
and over again. The message of the plays were
usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets and
costumes were first-rate. Madras and the Tamil
drama community were terribly impressed and for
some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of
sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’
with a bare stage, a white background curtain and
a tune played on the flute. It was some years later
that I learnt that the MRA was a kind of counter-
movement to international Communism and the
big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan simply played
into their hands.
276 English Cor -X
e
II
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
Questions
(i) Why were Moral Re-Armament army not good on
the trapeze?
(a) While doing their act on the trapeze they
kept falling down.
(b) The trapeze was not tied properly and thus
they could not perform well.
(c) They were not a circus group, they were a
theatre group.
(d) Their idea was to make people laugh while
performing so they kept falling down.
(ii) What was admirable about the theatre plays of
Moral Re-armament army?
(iii) What did the Tamil plays copy from the MRA?
(iv) Why did the big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan
simply play into the hands of the M.R.A.?
(a) They were international and represented
many nations.
(b) They put up plays which the big bosses of
Madras highly appreciated.
(c) They were a kind of counter-movement to
international communism.
(d) They were the best comedy theatre roaming
round the whole world.
(v) ‘Simple homilies‘ means ........
(a) stories about homes
(b) a tedious moralizing lecture
(c) an exciting story
(d) a horror story
(vi) The tone of the writer in these lines is....
(a) ironical (b) humorous
(c) sad (d) cheerful
Answers
(i) (c) They were not a circus group, they were a
theatre group.
(ii) Their set and costumes were first-rate and the
audience was terribly impressed by them.
(iii) The Tamil plays copied from the MRA a scene
of sunrise and sunset with a bare stage.
(iv) (c) They were a kind of counter-movement to
international communism.
(v) (b) a tedious moralizing lecture
(vi) (b) humorous
4. And years later, when I was out of Gemini Studios
and I had much time but not much money, anything
at a reduced price attracted my attention. On the
footpath in front of the Madras Mount Road Post
Office, there was a pile of brand new books for
fifty paise each. Actually they were copies of the
same book, an elegant paperback of American
origin. ‘Special low-priced student edition, in
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


connection with the 50th Anniversary of the
Russian Revolution’, I paid fifty paise and picked
up a copy of the book, The God That Failed. Six
eminent men of letters in six separate essays
described ‘their journeys into Communism and
their disillusioned return’.
Questions
(i) What was the book “The God that Failed” all
about?
successfully recreated the mood and manner of
the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was
an amazing actor-he never aspired to the lead
roles-but whatever subsidiary role he played in
any of the films, he performed better than the
supposed main players. He had a genuine love
for anyone he came across and his house was a
permanent residence for dozens of near and far
relations and acquaintances.


Questions
(ii) Why did the book assume tremendous
importance for the author? (i) Which of these statements is NOT TRUE about
Subbu?
(a) One of the writers was Ignazio Silione
(a) His literary accomplishments stole the
(b) One of the writers was Stephen Spender.
limelight from his films.
(c) One of the writers was Richard Wright.
(b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his
(d) One of the writers was Louis Fischer. literary works were noteworthy.
(iii) What enlightenment did the author get? (c) He was selfless in nature and was empathetic
(a) He felt sorry for Stephen Spender. towards others.
(b) He now understood why Stephen spender (d) He never hankered after lead roles and
came to Gemini Studios. performed minor roles in films.
(c) He understood why the office boy was (ii) The word ‘sprawling’ has been used with the
always unhappy about Subbu. word ‘novel’. Pick the option with which the
(d) He understood why he himself had to keep word ‘sprawling’ CANNOT be used.
tearing papers and gluing them in a file. (a) Metropolis (b) Handwriting
(iv) Who was the “God That Failed”? (c) Campus (d) Portrait
(a) The big bosses of Madras Gemini studios. (iii) The phrase ‘deftly etched’ shows that Subbu
(b) Stephen Spender (a) created the roles delicately.
(c) Subbu (b) was skilful in creating the characters.
(d) Communism (c) pondered beyond necessity about the
(v) ‘Six eminent men of letters means .... characters.
(a) six famous people (b) six men (d) gave very little thought to the characters.
(c) six well-known writers (iv) Pick the option that best describes Subbu
(d) six famous letters writers according to the extract.
(vi) Why was the book low-priced? 1. Benevolent 2. Powerful

Answers 3. accomplished 4. Witty

(i) It was the book of essays by six authors 5. Generous 6. Temperamental

about their journey to communism and their (a) 4, 5 & 6 (b) 2, 3 & 4


(c) 1,3 & 5 (d) 3 ,4 & 6
disillusioned return.
(ii) (b) One of the writers was Stephen Spender. (v) What does the expression ‘dwarfed his literary
achievements’ means ?
(iii) (b) he now understood why Stephen spender
came to Gemini Studios. (vi) Another word for ‘subsidiary role’ is.....
(a) supporting (b) leading
(iv) (d) Communism
(c) comic (d) villanous
(v) (c) six well-known writers Answers
(vi) The book was low priced because it was printed (i) (a) His literary accomplishments stole the
in memory of the Russians Revolution. limelight from his films.
5. His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed (ii) (d) Portrait
his literary achievements-or so his critics felt. (iii) (b) was skilful in creating the characters.
He composed several truly original ‘story poems’ (iv) (c) 1,3 & 5
in folk refrain and diction and also wrote a (v) It means that his writing ability was made less
sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with important.
dozens of very deftly etched characters. He quite (vi) (a) supporting

Po ts an Pan ak s 277
e
d
c
e
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


6. Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks, (c) are creative and need to have free time to
everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a weave their thoughts.
pre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore khadi (d) begin poetic compositions in rushed way and
and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they end in a relaxed manner.
had not the faintest appreciation for political (v) What does the phrase ‘radiated leisure’ mean?
thought of any kind. Naturally, they were all
(vi) ‘he had no compunction’ means ....
averse to the term ‘Communism’. A communist
(a) He did not have sorrowful feelings.
was a godless man-he had no filial or conjugal
love; he had no compunction about killing his (b) He did not think twice before doing
own parents or his children; he was always out something.
to cause and spread unrest and violence among (c) He was thoughtful and careful before taking
innocent and ignorant people. Such notions, any action.
which prevailed everywhere else in South (d) He was indifferent to the activities taking
India at that time also, naturally, floated about place around them.
vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Answers
Studios. Evidence of it was soon forthcoming. (i) (b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice


Questions against ‘hinsa’ or violence.
(i) Pick the option that uses the same figure of (ii) (c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot
speech as ‘A communist is a godless man.’ be inferred.
(a) She is as determined as Gandhi when it is (iii) (b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time.
a fight against injustice. (iv) (b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they
(b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice do.
against ‘hinsa’ or violence. (v) It means ‘enjoying free time’.
(c) She, like Gandhi, feels that the Earth is (vi) (c) He was thoughtful and careful before taking
crying for deliverance. any action
(d) She lives a life of opulence and calls herself
a follower of Gandhi. Type II. Tex -Based Ques ons
t
ti
(ii) Based on the extract, choose the correct option
with reference to the two statements given I. Multiple Choice Questions


below.
1. ‘In any case, there was this man in the
Statement 1: At Gemini Studios, the poets had
make-up department who would wish the

a profound knowledge about Communists.
direst things for Subbu’. Here ‘direst things’
Statement 2: Communists were responsible for
refers to something that is

anarchy and discontent in the country.

(a) urgent (b) desperate
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true. (c) disastrous (d) dreadful
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot 2. Pick the quote which best describes Subbu’s
be inferred. role in Gemini Studios based on the story.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be 1. Life’s too short to hang out with people who
inferred. aren’t resourceful.

(iii) Why do you think leisure is a pre-requisite for 2. The more a person limits himself, the more
poetry? resourceful he becomes.
(a) Poetry means freedom of expression. 3. Success is not about your resources. It’s
(b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time. about how resourceful you are with what
(c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time. you have.
(d) Poetry means freedom from work. 4. Resourcefulness: Seeing where you want to
go and taking the first step.
(iv) Asokamitran says that leisure is a pre-requisite
for poetry. He says this because poets (a) Option 1 (b) Option 2
(a) need to relax for a period of time before (c) Option 3 (d) Option 4
composing lines. 3. ‘An extremely talented actress, who was also
(b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they extremely temperamental, once blew over on
do. the sets’.
278 English Cor -X
e
II
D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


Pick the idiom that matches best with ‘blew (c) A jewellery shop
over’ (d) A hair-cutting salon
(a) At one’s wits end 11. For whom was Gemini studio making films?
(b) Get bent out of shape (a) For English people

(c) Lave the blues (b) For illiterate
(d) Experience pins and needles (c) For elderly peole
4. ‘Often he looked alone and helpless-a man of (d) For simple Tamilians who have no interest
cold logic in a crowd of dreamers....’ it can be in English poetry
inferred that the man 12. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred as

(a) rationalised every thought before it was unexplained mystery?
spoken. (a) Because of his appearance
(b) failed to consider human emotions and (b) Because of his dress
social dynamics. (c) Because of his hairstyle
(c) was critical of what others did around (d) Because of his unfamiliarity and baffled
him. looks
(d) egoistic and always thought other lacked 13. Who was the Englishman?
reason. (a) Salman Rushdie
(b) D.H Lawrence
5. What does his book “My Years with Boss” talk
of ? (c) George Orwell
(d) Stephen Spender- Editor of a British
(a) his job
Periodical—The Encounter
(b) The nature of his boss
14. What was MRA?
(c) His environment
(a) British Army
(d) Impact of movies on every aspect of life in
(b) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter
India.
movement to International Communism
6. Who was Greta Garbo? (c) A wing of Indian Army
(a) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner (d) A drama company
(b) A German actress 15. Why was MRA invited to Gemini studio?
(c) A French actress (a) To show their play
(d) A Bengali actress (b) Because of political affiliations
7. What was Asokamitran’s job in the studio? (c) Because of political influence
(a) To arrange pancakes (d) None
(b) To arrange make-up kits 16. Why did everybody in the studio think of
(c) To serve water giving some work to the author?
(d) To cut out newspaper clippings on a wide (a) Because of the idle appearance of his work
variety of subjects and store them in files. (b) Because he was an office boy
8. What has Asokamitran brought up through (c) Because he was a helper
this write up? (d) None
(a) Topics of film industry 17. Why did the office boy in the make-up room
(b) Topics of make-up industry come to the author?
(c) Topics of gossip (a) Because he was unemployed
(d) Topics of heroines (b) Because of his interest in literary arts and
9. Who was the founder of Gemini studio? film making
(a) Mr. S.S Vasan (c) To earn money
(b) English man (d) To do make-up
(c) A Tamil boy 18. Why was the author praying for crowd
(d) A director shooting at all times?
10. What has been the make-up room compared (a) To attract the crowd
to? (b) To avoid people
(a) A make up company (c) To avoid Epical narrations
(b) A parlour (d) None
Po ts an Pan ak s 279
e
d
c
e
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________


19. Why was Subbu a trouble shooter? 27. What does the expression ‘ fiery misery’ mean?
(a) Because of his gossip style (a) The glow of lights
(b) Because of his flattery (b) The bright lights
(c) Ability to mix up with everyone (c) The bright colorful dresses of heroines
(d) Because of his problem resolving quality (d) Discomfort to the actors in the make-up
20. In this lesson, what is the purpose of humor room
and satire used by the author? 28. What things attracted the audience in the
(a) To highlight human abilities plays staged by MRA?
(b) To show capabilities (a) Their jewellery
(c) To show varied capacities (b) Their make up
(d) To show and highlight human infancies (c) Their dialogues
and flaws (d) Their sets and costumes
21. How was Kothamanglam Subbu treated in the 29. Why was Subbu termed as ‘many sided
Gemini studio? genius’?
(a) With hatred (a) for his flattery
(b) Rudely (b) for his gossiping
(c) Disrespectfully (c) for his interaction with others
(d) With high respect (d) for his ability to create and manage things
22. How does the author come to know that Answers
English author was Stephen Spender? 1. (d) dreadful 2. (c) Option 3
(a) From a painting 3. (b) Get bent out of shape
(b) From the newspaper 4. (b) failed to consider human emotions and social

(c) From a television show dynamics.
(d) From a book- The God that failed 5. (d) Impact of movies on every aspect of life in
23. What is the example of National Integration India.
in Poets and Pancakes? 6. (a) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner
(a) Make-up department of Gemini 7. (d) To cut out newspaper clippings on a wide
(b) Rehersal room variety of subjects and store them in files.
(c) Office of Gemini studio 8. (a) Topics of film industry
(d) None 9. (a) Mr. S.S Vasan
24. Why was Subbu considered number 2 at 10. (d) A hair-cutting salon
Gemini studio? 11. (d) for simple Tamilians who have no interest
in English poetry
(a) Because of his flattery
12. (d) Because of his unfamiliarity and baffled
(b) Because of his abilities
looks
(c) Because of creative skills
13. (d) Stephen Spender- Editor of a British
(d) None
Periodical–The Encounter
25. The boy in the make up room was jealous of
14. (b) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter
whom?
movement to International Communism
(a) Actors
15. (b) Because of political affiliations
(b) Author
16. (a) Because of the idle appearance of his work
(c) The visitor
17. (b) Because of his interest in literary arts and
(d) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the
film making
boss
18. (a) To avoid Epical narrations
26. What does the expression ‘made to look ugly’
19. (d) Because of his problem resolving quality
refer to ?
20. (d) To show and highlight human infancies and
(a) Make-up done to look presentable before
camera flaws
(b) Faces made by actors 21. (d) With high respect
(c) Faces nade by office boy 22. (d) From a book- The God that failed
(d) Arrangements in the make-up room 23. (a) Make-up department of Gemini

280 English Cor -X

e
II
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

24. (c) Because of creative skills
25. (d) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the boss
26. (a) Make-up done to look presentable before
camera.
27. (d) Discomfort to the actors in the make-up
room
28. (d) Their sets and costumes
29. (d) For his ability to create and manage things
II. Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the author mention the names of four
heroines? What does he want to emphasize by
singling out one of them?
Ans. The author mentions Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar
and Vyjayantimala, the top heroines in 1950’s
and 1960’s, who must have used pancake—
thick make-up for the face. Rati Agnihotri,
who came in the eighties may not have even
heard of it. He wants to emphasize that he is
talking of the early 1950s.
2. What purpose does the description of the
location of the make-up department and
interior of the make-up room of Gemini
Studios serve?
Ans. The make-up department of the Gemini
Studios was on the upper floor of a building
that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s
stables. The make-up room had the look
of a hair cutting salon with lights at all
angles around half a dozen large mirrors.
This reflects the poor working conditions as
compared to the facilities available in modern
air conditioned make-up rooms.
3. “A strict hierarchy was maintained in the
make-up department.” Explain.
Ans. The chief make-up man attended to the chief
actors and actresses, his senior assistant the
‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant
the main comedian, and so forth. The players
who played the crowd were the responsibility
of the office boy.
4. What explanation does Asokamitran offer for
the practice of the make-up men who could
‘turn any decent–looking person into a hideous
crimson hued monster’ ?
Ans. Ashokamitran explains that those were the
days of mainly indoor shooting. Then he makes
a humorous remark. The sets and studio lights
needed the girls and boys to be made to look
ugly in order to look presentable in the movie.
5. “Soon I was praying for crowd-shooting all the
time.” What forced Ashokamitran to make this
remark?
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
Ans. The ‘boy’ in the make-up department would
barge into Ashokamitran’s cubicle to enlighten
him on how great literary talent was being
allowed to go waste in a department fit only
for barbers and perverts. The author felt sick
of his ‘epics’ and prayed that he remained busy
with making-up players for the crowd scenes.
6. What general observation does the author
make about the behaviour of the frustrated
people and why?
Ans. The author says that a frustrated person
always directs his anger towards a single
person openly or covertly. He does so to
explain the conduct of the ‘boy’ in make-up
department towards Subbu as the former
held the latter responsible for all his woes,
ignominy and neglect.
7. ‘Here was a man who could be inspired
when commanded.’ What example is given to
illustrate it and what does it highlight?
Ans. The producer would ask Subbu how to do
the scene of the rat, who has fought the
tigress underwater and killed her, tending
her offsprings lovingly. This is a ludicrous
situation, but Subbu felt inspired and would
suggest four ways of the rat pouring affection
on its victim’s offsprings. When asked about
the effectiveness of the scene, Subbu would
come out with fourteen more alternatives.
8. Why does Asokamitran call Subbu “a charitable
and improvident man” ?
Ans. Subbu had a genuine love for anyone he came
across. His house was a permanent residence
for dozens of near and far relations and
acquaintances. Subbu was not even conscious
that he was feeding and supporting so many
of them. Hence the writer calls Subbu ‘a
charitable and an improvident man.’
9. What explanation does the author offer for
Subbu having enemies?
Ans. The author suggests that it might be because
of his intimacy with the Boss or because
his general demeanour resembled that of
a sycophant. It may have been due to his
readiness to say nice things about everything.
10. What did the lawyer do when an extremely
talented but temperamental actress once blew
over the sets? What was its result?
Ans. The lawyer quietly switched on the recording
equipment. When the actress paused for
breath, he played back the recording. She
was struck dumb on hearing her own voice.
She never quite recovered from the terror she
Po ts an Pan ak s 281
e
d
c
e
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

felt that day. It marked the end of a brief and
brilliant acting career.
11. What made the lawyer lose his job? What does
the writer find so funny about the situation?
Ans. One day the Boss closed down the Story
Department. As a result, the lawyer, who
was on the attendance rolls of the Story
Department, lost his job along with other
writers and poets. The writer calls its “the only
instance in all human history where a lawyer
lost his job because the poets were asked to go
home.”
12. What does Asokamitran consider a pre-
requisite for poetry? What evidence do you
find of its existence at the Gemini Studios?
Ans. According to Asokamitran, leisure is a pre-
requisite for poetry. The Gemini Studio had a
relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. It was the
favourite haunt of many distinguished poets,
who met over a cup of coffee.
13. They were all averse to the term ‘Communism’.
What notion prevailed in South India about
Communists at that time?
Ans. A communist was regarded as a Godless man.
He had no love for children or his wife. He had
no pricking of conscience about killing his own
parents or his children. He was always out to
cause and spread unrest and violence among
innocent and ignorant people.
14. What notion was in the air about the Moral-
Rearmament Army? How did it prove absurd?
What did the author learn later about the
MRA?
Ans. Someone called this two hundred strong group
an international circus. This description was
absurd. First, they were not very good on
the trapeze. Secondly, their acquaintance
with animals was only at the dinner table.
Some years later, the author learnt that the
MRA was a kind of counter movement to
international communism.
15. How did the people of Madras and those at the
Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged by
the Moral Rearmament Army?
Ans. The people of Madras and those at the Gemini
Studios were ‘terribly’ impressed. Their two
plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor’ ran for several shows. The Gemini
family of six hundred saw the plays over and
over again along with the other citizens. For
some years almost all Tamil plays presented
the scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
of ‘Jotham Valley.’
282 English Cor -X
e
II
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
16. How did the staff of Gemini Studios react to
the MRA’s arrival?
Ans. The staff had a nice time hosting two hundred
people of all hues and sizes of at least twenty
nationalities. The author found it a pleasant
change from the usual collection of crowd
players waiting to be slapped with thick layers
of make-up by the office-boy in the make-up
department.
17. What was the suspense about “another visitor”
Gemini Studios was to welcome?
Ans. It was said that the visitor was a poet from
England. The staff was eager to know about
the poet. It was then said that he was not a
poet but an editor. Vasan, the Boss, being the
editor of the popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda
Vikatan’ was giving him a big reception. Thus
there was a suspense about the visitor.
18. What do you learn about the literary taste
of the staff of Gemini Studio as for English
poetry was concerned?
Ans. The staff at Gemini Studios was quite simple.
The only English poets they knew or heard of
were Wordsworth and Tennyson. The more
literate ones knew of Keats, Shelley and
Byron. One or two might have come to know
about Eliot.
19. What did even “the most well-informed” among
the staff come to know about the visiting poet?
Ans. The surmise was that the poet was the editor
of a daily. It was fuelled by the fact that top
men of ‘The Hindu’ were taking the initiative.
Even the most well informed among the staff
came to know that he was not from ‘The
Manchester Guardian’ or the ‘London Times.’
20. ‘Prose-writing is not and cannot be the true
pursuit of a genius.’ Who does the author think
it fit for and why?
Ans. The author thinks that prose-writing is for the
patient, persistent, persevering hard worker.
His heart is so shrunken that nothing can
break it. Rejection slips do not mean anything
to him. He at once sets about making a fresh
copy of the long prose piece. Then, he sends
it to another editor. He encloses postage for
the return of the manuscript. He regards it a
boring, tiring and hard work.
21. What kind of effect does Asokamitran’s style
of writing have on the reader?
Ans. Ashokamitran has used gentle humour to
highlight the weaknesses and eccentricity of
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

the people at the Gemini Studio. This creates
an interesting picture of the people involved
with film making there and the way films
were made as compared to the films made in
modern times.
22. Discuss the significance of the make-up room
in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’.
Ans. The make up room symbolized true national
integration with people from all over the
country working together in harmony to cover
the actors with make-up. It was also a place
where a clear hierarchy was maintained in
the manner the make-up was done to cover
the actors. The chief make-up man only
applied make-up on the lead actors; the senior
assistant took care of the second lead; the
junior assistant dealt with the comedian while
the actors in the crowd were taken care of by
the ‘office boy’.
23. ‘In all instances of frustration, you will always
find the anger directed towards a single person
openly or covertly...’
Do you think it is right to direct our anger
towards someone who is not responsible for
the cause of anger? Justify.
Ans. The answer can be answered in both ‘Yes’ or
‘No’ with justification
No, I don’t feel it is correct to express one‘s
anger at someone who has not harmed you in
anyway because that person is often unaware
of the reason for your anger. For example
Subbu had not directly pushed ahead of the
office boy but had been promoted by the
owner by virtue of Subbu being a Brahmin.
Moreover Subbu was also very hard working,
creative and resourceful apart from being a
good writer. All reasons why he deserved to
move ahead at the studio.
Yes, because it is very upsetting to see
someone else go ahead of you especially if you
think you are more deserving. The office boy
had been an old hand at the studio but he had
not been promoted yet Subbu went ahead just
because he was a Brahmin.
24. The people left in ‘utter bafflement’ after the
English poet’s speech. Mention two things
the speaker could have kept in mind before
addressing an audience to avoid such a
reaction: Give your rationale for it.
Ans. The speaker could have talked about his
interest and experience with Communism.
Also an interpreter would have made it easier
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
for the audience to understand what he was
saying as the former did not understand
English.
III. Long Answer Questions

1. The ‘Office-boy’ in the make-up department
of Gemini Studios has the shades of a typical
universal character lured by glitter and
glamour and doomed to frustation. Discuss.
Or
Attempt a pen-portrait of the ‘office-boy’
highlighting his aspirations, odd jobs and
disillusionment as well as his universal
dimensions.
Ans. The ‘office-boy’ wasn’t exactly a ‘boy’; he was
in his early forties. He had entered the studios
years ago. He had hoped to become a star
actor, a top screen writer, director or lyrics
writer. At present he had to slap paint on the
faces of the players who played the crowd. He
closed every pore on the surface of the face
by applying make-up. He felt dissatisfied and
disillusioned. He considered the make-up
department fits only for barbers and perverts.
He felt frustrated that his great literary talent
was being allowed to go waste. He was a bit
of poet too. He had got good formal education
and had an encouraging opening in films.
However, in spite of his start, he did not
advance an inch from his position as ‘office-
boy’.
He has shades of universal characters. He is
typical specimen representing the youth lured
by glitter and glamour of films, struggling
hard to make a name and then doomed to
frustration.
2. How would you describe Subbu a trouble
shooter or a sycophant?
Or
Give an estimate of Subbu’s qualities of head
and heart and the reasons for his success.
Ans. Kothamangalam Subbu was the No. 2 at
Gemini Studios. Though officially on the
rolls of Story Department, he was always
with the Boss. He had the ability to look
cheerful at all times. His sense of loyalty
made him identify himself with his principal
completely. He turned his entire creativity to
his advantage. He was tailor-made for films.
Film making was quite easy with Subbu
around. He could suggest many alternatives to
baffled producers. He could be inspired when
commanded. He had a literary bent of mind
Po ts an Pan ak s 283
e
d
c
e
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

too. He was a poet and had composed several
original ‘story poems’. He had also written a
novel. His success in films overshadowed and
dwarfed his literary achievements. He was an
amazing actor also, but confined himself to
playing supporting roles. He loved whosoever
he met. He was charitable and improvident
and played permanent host to dozens of
persons. His success was envied by frustrated
people like the ‘office-boy’.
3. Narrate the incident in which the legal adviser
was instrumental in causing the end of a brief
and brilliant acting career.
Ans. Gemini Studios had an extremely
talented actress. She was also extremely
temperamental. Once she blew over on the
sets and gave vent to her feelings against the
producer. Every-body was stunned. The lawyer
quietly switched on the recording equipment.
When the actress paused for breath, the
lawyer played back the recording. There was
nothing incriminating or unmentionably foul
in the actress’s tirade against the producer.
But she was struck dumb on hearing her
voice again though the sound equipment.
She was a girl from the countryside and raw
and immature at worldly affairs. She lacked
wordly experience and sophistication that
persons in position of importance generally
acquire. The result was that she never quite
recovered from the terror she felt that day.
This is how a brief and brilliant acting career
had unwittingly been brought to a sad end by
the legal adviser.
4. Narrate how the Moral Re-Armament army
was welcomed at the Gemini Studios. What
impact did the MRA have on people of Madras
in general and those at Gemini Studios in
particular?
Ans. The staff of Gemini Studios had a nice
time hosting two hundred strong Moral Re-
Armament army led by Frank Buchman. In
fact, MRA could not have found a warmer
host in India than the Gemini Studios. They
presented two plays—‘Jotham Valley’ and
‘The Forgotten Factor’ in a most professional
manner. The message of the plays were
usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets
and costumes were first rate. These plays ran
several shows in Madras. The citizens of the
city and Gemini family of 600 saw the plays
over and over again.
284 English Cor -X
e
II
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
For some years, almost all Tamil plays had
a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
of ‘Jotham Valley’ with a bare stage, a white
background curtain and a tune played on the
flute. This was the impact of the plays staged
by the MRA on Madras in general and the
Tamil drama community in particular.
5. “In a moment I felt a dark chamber of my
mind lit up by a hazy illumination.” Which
incident is being referred to by the author,
Asokamitran? What conclusion does he arrive
at?
Ans. An English poet (or editor) had been invited
to Gemini Studios. He addressed a dazed and
silent audience for an hour about the thrills
and travails of an English poet. His accent
defeated any attempt to understand what
he was saying. The audience felt baffled—
what was an English poet doing in a studio
making Tamil films? His visit remained an
unexplained mystery.
Years later, the author read the editor’s name
on the magazine ‘The Encounter’. He also
came across copies of ‘The God that Failed’—a
collection of six essays against communism.
One of the six contributors was Stephen
Spender. He was the poet that came to
Gemini Studios. Suddenly the book assumed
tremendous significance. The dark chambers
of his mind were illuminated. The reaction
to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was
no longer a mystery. The Boss may not be
concerned with Spender’s poetry, but he was
aware of the god that failed.
6. How does humour and satire enliven the
account of the events and personalities at
Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran
in ‘Poets and Pancakes’ ?
Ans. Ashokamitran uses gentle humour and mild
satire to make his account interesting and
readable. He uses a rambling and chatty style,
making transitions from one thought to another
and thus preparing us for a gentle tickle as he
moves on to the next item. For example, he
makes fun of the make-up applied to artists
which can change any decent-looking person
into a hideous crimson hued monster. The
explanation is equally laughter provoking—
the sets and studio lights needed the girls and
boys to be made to look ugly in order to look
presentable in the movie. The portraits of the
“office-boy” of make-up department, Subbu the
No. 2 and the legal adviser have many deft
 D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)
\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6

touches of humour. The purpose of the visits
of the Moral Re-Armament army and that
of the English poet (or editor) is beyond the
comprehension of even the most enlightened
ones like the author. The baffled reaction of
the Gemini Studios staff arouses humour. The
mild satire is also directed at people who are
averse to communism and go to any length to
oppose it.
7. Imagine Asokamitran witnesses a film
shooting and visits a film set of present day
Bollywood.
As Asokamitran write a diary entry penning
down the transformation you notice between
film making of yesteryears and today.
Ans. Humour always succeeds where critical
Ans. Film making has changed drastically in the
last few decades. The actors no longer have to
sweat it our in hot furnace like make-up rooms
of the past. They now have fancy, luxurious,
air-conditioned vanity vans where they can
prepare for their shoots in privacy. The make-
up artists are educated, skilful and trained
and their make-up no longer makes them
look horrendous but actually enhances their
beauty and makes them look much better and
glamorous than their real selves.
Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________
The art of film making has undergone a lot
of change. Real animals have been replaced
by computer graphics and a lot of the visuals
are created by computers and technology. The
directors are educated and trained and every
aspect of film making is meticulously planned
before execution. The days of a proprietor
owned studio has almost been replaced by
production houses who seen the show.
8. After reading this story, you are impressed by
the author’s use of gentle humour to point out
human foibles. Evaluate whether using such
humour contributes towards bringing about
change in people’s attitude and accepting their
foibles.
remarks fail. Humour helps make light of
weakness of character or something wrong
with society. The text highlights the weakneses
prevalent in the film making process in the
past. The loud make-up that made the actors
look ugly to the manner in which films were
made without proper planning and with
spontaneous ideas generated on the sets all
point to the flaws in the system. By pointing
out these flaws, the writer points to the area
requiring attention.
Po ts an Pan ak s 285
e
d
c
e