POETS AND PANCAKES

-Asokamitran

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those

subjected to makeup?

Ans: The makeup room had incandescent lights at all

angles. These lights gave fiery heat. Sitting in a makeup
room with these lights was sitting near furnace. It was
fiery misery that the boys and girls had to endure.

2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No.2 in Gemini

studios?

Ans: Though Kothamangalam Subbu had been a member of

the story department, he had always been seen with the
boss. The boss gave him prominence as he was a talented
person. Subbu’s opinion was taken on every problem.
Subbu was always ready with suitable suggestions and
with him film making was not a problem.

3. Why was office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger
on?

Ans: The office boy had the belief that he possessed a

great literary talent. He was frustrated as his talent had
not been recognized and he was given work fit only for
barbers and perverts. He showed his anger on
Kothamangalam Subbu who was No.2 at Gemini studios.
 The office boy thought that Subbu was responsible for
this neglect.

4. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini
Studios?

Ans: Every member of the story department where the

lawyer worked wore khadi dhotis and an oversized khadi
kurta. However, the lawyer wore pants and a tie.
Sometimes, he even wore a coat. Thus, he looked
different from others.

5. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular

political affiliations?

Ans: They did not have any particular political affiliations.

However, they were averse to communism.

6. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the

Studios?

Ans: The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed as they

presented two plays in the most professional manner. The
staff of the Gemini Studios used to have a nice time
hosting two hundred people of at least twenty
nationalities.

7. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained

mystery?

Ans: The Englishman had been a poet. It became quite

difficult to understand as to why he had come in a film
studio that made Tamil films for simple people. They
 could have no taste for English poetry. The author even
thinks that the Englishman too was baffled by this
incongruity.

8. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. Justify?

Ans: Kothamangalam Subbu might not have had much

formal education but, by virtue of his being born a
Brahmin, he had exposure to many affluent situations and
people. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times,
even after a setback. He was always full of creative
ideas. Above all, he was a charitable and extravagant man
and hospitable to his relations. His loyalty had put him
close to his boss. But he seemed to others a sycophant
and a flatterer, probably, that was the reason he had
enemies.

9. How did the lawyer unwittingly bring an end to a brief and

brilliant career of a young actress?

Ans: A talented but very temperamental actress lost her

cool on the sets. The lawyer recorded her outburst and
played it back, much to her embarrassment. The actress
from the countryside was terror-struck that she
retreated and never got back to films. In this way, his
mischief making brought an abrupt end to the brilliant
career.

10. What was significant about the book which the author
took from roadside?
 Ans: ‘The God That Failed’ was the name of the book
which caught the attention of the author. It contained
the essays of six eminent men, who described their
journey into communism and their return from it after
being disillusioned. It suddenly assumed great
significance for the author as he discovered that one of
the essays had been written by Stephen spender, the
poet, who had visited the studio. He now understood the
reason for his having been invited.

11. What do you understand about the author’s literary

inclinations from the account?

Ans: The author was very knowledgeable young man whose

job required him to pour over the newspaper all day long.
His interest in creative writing and participating in story
writing contests indicated his interest in literature. This
interest was so keen that he read books on varied
subjects and went about buying them even when he was
short of money.