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Chapter – 6 | Flamingo

Poets and
Pancakes
Topics Covered
POETS AND PANCAKES by Asokamitran

01 Author

02 Plot

03 Theme

04 Characters

05 Setting And Title

06 Summary
 The lesson is taken from the book
‘My Years with the boss’ written by
Asokamitran Asokamitran.

In this excerpt, he talks about all the

elements that kept Gemini Studios
running. From Pancake make-up to
the office boy of the make-up
department, from Subbu to the
lawyer, every element helped in
making Gemini Studios a successful
film producing company.
Asokamitran (1931-2017)

Asokamitran was born on 22 September 1931 in Secunderabad.

Asokamitran was a pen name given to him. His actual name was,
Jagadisa Thyagarajan.

He was a renowned Tamil writer and was the winner of Sahitya

Academy.

Asokamitran wrote about his experiences working in the film

industry in columns of leading newspapers.

Later these columns translated into his book named 'My Years
With Boss'. His boss was S.S Vasan, the owner of Gemini Studio.

The majority of his works were translated into English in the

1980s. Thus, he became much popular during that period.
Important Words
Chapter – 6 | Poets and
Pancakes
Stables- a building set apart and
adapted for keeping horses

Remote corners- a place that is

located away from the populated
areas

Maiden- a young woman or an

unmarried girl

Incandescent- emitting light as a

result of being heated; burning

Misery- a state or feeling of great

physical or mental distress or
discomfort
Hideous- extremely ugly

Crimson hue- deep red colour

Potions- a liquid mixture

Cubicle- a small partitioned-off area of a

room

Barge in- to walk into a room quickly, without

being invited

Enlightened-having or showing a rational,

modern and well-informed outlook

Epics- an exceptionally long and arduous task

or activity
Covertly- secretly

Woes- distress

Ignominy- public shame or disgrace

Contrary- opposite in nature, direction

or meaning

Virtue- behaviour showing high moral

standards; here, good luck

Affluent- having a great deal of

money; wealthy

Having a hand in – to be involved with

something
Complete Chapter’s Summary
 Summary

In this lesson, Asokamitran talks about

Gemini Studios and all that helps in
keeping it in the spotlight.

He starts by making a mention about

‘Pancakes’, the famous make-up brand
which Gemini Studios ordered in
truckloads.

He then talks about the plight of actors

and actresses who have to bear too
many lights on their face while getting
ready in the make-up room.
The make-up department, according to
him, used heaps of make-up to turn
them into ugly-looking creatures.
Shockingly, he talks about the office
boy of the make-up department whose
task is to slap paint onto the faces of
players at the time of crowd-shooting.

He was a poet and had joined the

Studio in the hope of becoming an
actor, screenwriter, director or a lyricst.

In those days, the author used to work

inside a cubicle and had the task of
collecting newspaper cuttings which,
according to others was insignificant
Thus, office boy would come in
time again, to bother him with his
complaints. He was well-
convinced that the reason behind
his misery was Subbu.

He thought Subbu had an

advantage because he was born a
Brahmin. Subbu was a
resourceful man whose loyalty
made him stand out.

He was tailor-made for films and

it was difficult to imagine film-
making without him.
He was very welcoming and was
known for his hospitality. Just like
many others at the Gemini Studios, he
also did poetry.

He worked for the story department

which also consisted of a lawyer.
People generally called him the
opposite of a legal practitioner.

He was a logical and neutral man

amidst a room full of dreamers.
Asokamitran then describes how
Gemini Studios got a chance to host a
group of international performers
called Moral Rearmament Army.
Though the plots and
messages were not complex,
their sets and costumes
were near to perfection so
much so that for many
years, Tamil plays displayed
sunset and sunrise in a way
inherited from ‘Jotham
Valley’.

Then another guest, Stephen

Spender comes to visit
Gemini Studios.
People had hardly
heard of him and
they couldn’t even
connect with him
due to linguistic
barriers.

It was not until a

few years later that
Asokamitran saw
his name in a book
and realised who he
actually was.
Plot
The story narrates Asokamitran's job at the Gemini Studio. He used to collect
newspaper cuttings.

He was assigned a cubicle and had to bear the complaints and frustrations of
others working there.

The writer focuses on the make-up brand used by Gemini Studio and how ugly
the actors and actresses used to look after heavy make-up.

There was a striking hierarchy noticed in the Studio, which was quite
prominent.

The writer mentioned the office boy who had dreams of becoming an actor or
director but used to do a completely different job.

The writer also points out the role played by Kothamangalam Subbu, who was
a Brahmin by virtue and possessed many other qualities which made him a
famous figure in Gemini Studio.
Plot
The concept of communism was also prominent in the Studio. People's dislike for
this concept was quite visible.

The Moral Re-Armament Army visited Gemini Studio and staged two plays to pave
the way for anti-communist feelings.

The Gemini Studio received an unknown poet named Stephen Spender, who gave
long speeches on democracy and freedom.

Later on, visiting the British Council Library, Asokamitran learnt that the editor of a
periodical named The Encounter was Stephen Spender.
Theme
'Poets and Pancakes' focuses on the theme of favouritism and hierarchy in the workplace.

The story reveals that people belonging to different strata of society working together at
Gemini Studios had a casual dislike for each other, still used to work together as a team.

The story also depicts that life, in reality, is quite different from life in front of the screen.

Communism was also prevalent in the Gemini Studios.

The educated people were proud to support the concept of communism, and the Gemini
Studios was not left alone.
Character- Kothamanglam Subbu
People
considered
Kothamangl He was a loyal and
am Subbu He was a helpful man and
to be Brahmin genuinely loved
'number by virtue. anyone he came
two' of across.
Gemini
Studio.

He was an enormously
talented actor and could He custom-tailored
perform various emotions on for films.
a particular scene.
Other Characters
The office boy was in his He wanted to become an
forties and did the make- actor, director, poet and
up of the players who had lyricist but could not
crowd shooting. fulfil his wishes.
He envied Subbu
and said bad
words about him.

The lawyer was responsible

He always looked lonely
for ruining the career of
and helpless.
actors and actresses.
Setting And Title

The story does

not have any The title, 'Poets
particular and Pancakes', The story showcases that Gemini Studio was the hub
setting. It's is relevant and for the poets. They came there and used to influence
written in an justifiable. the thinking of the people working in the Studio.
abstract form.

'Pancake' was
Stephen the brand name
Spender, the of the make-up In this story, most of the
Thus, the title
famous poet, base used by characters working in the Studio
of the story is
also used to the artists of belonged to the make-up
apt.
visit the Studio. The Gemini department.
Studio.
Summary
• The writer in this story discussed the Gemini Studio and focused on keeping it in
the spotlight. The writer used to collect newspaper cuttings and stored them in
a file.
• He mentioned 'Pancakes', the make-up brand used by the make-up artists of
the Studio.
• He also pointed out the office boy of the make-up department whose job was to
slap paint the faces of players during crowd-shooting.
• He used to visit the Studio with the hope of securing the job of an actor,
director, screenwriter or lyricist but failed to secure any.

• The writer described the role played by Subbu in the Studio. His presence was of
much importance for the people of the Studio.

• The Gemini Studio also received a group of international performers and guest
poets.
The 2-min Test
Question 1: What was the role of the office
boy in Gemini Studio?

Question 2: Why was Subbu considered

better than the office boy?
The 2-min
Question 1: What was the role of the office boy in Gemini Studio?

Answer: The office boy at Gemini Studio aspired to become an actor, director,
poet and many more. Yet he did the make-up of the artists for crowd-shooting. He
would often barge into the writer's cubicle and complain about his work in the
make-up department.

Question 2: Why was Subbu considered better than the office boy?

Answer: Subbu received the title of 'number two' at Gemini Studio. He was tailor-
made for films. He was a loyal and generous man. On the other hand, the office
boy was always stuck in the make-up department. He never had high regards for
Subbu. Subbu got more exposure in the industry and had many abilities.
CBSE Sample Paper Questions
 Sample Paper Question

A girl from the countryside, she hadn’t gone through all the stages of
worldly experience that generally precede a position of importance and
sophistication that she had found herself catapulted into.

She never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. That was the
end of a brief and brilliant acting career — the legal adviser, who was
also a member of the Story Department, had unwittingly brought about
that sad end.

While every other member of the Department wore a kind of uniform —

khadi dhoti with a slightly oversized and clumsily tailored white khadi
shirt — the legal adviser wore pants and a tie and sometimes a coat that
looked like a coat of mail. Often, he looked alone and helpless …
Previous Year Questions
 Previous Year Questions

Q. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as

unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and
doubts in the minds of those who were working in
Gemini Studios. The Englishman’s name was unfamiliar
and his credentials too were unconfirmed. No one
could understand his speech so everyone wondered
why he had come to a film studio that made Tamil
films for simple people who had no interest in English
poetry.
 Previous Year Questions
Q. What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the
Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of
counter movement to international communism. They
were welcomed at the Gemini Studios due to their
political affiliations. The big boss of the studio, Mr.
Vasan literally played into their hands. Also, people at
the Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the
Moral Rearmament Army could not have found a better
host in India than the Gemini Studios, who welcomed
them warmly.
Practice Question
Q. Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why?

Answer:
Subbu’s enemy was the ‘boy’ at the make-up
department. All his anger and frustration were
directed against him. The boy was convinced
that Subbu was the cause of his woes and
miseries. This ‘boy’ was jealous of Subbu’s
rising stars, his success and his intimacy with
the boss.
Long Answer Questions

5 Marks
Q. Kothamangalam Subbu was a
‘many-sided genius’. Elaborate
Answer:

It is through the character of Kothamangalam Subbu,

that the author depicts a caricature of the so-called
‘go-getters’ who are not really talented but manage to
create an aura of talent around themselves.

Though officially on the rolls of the Story Department

at Gemini Studios, he was always with the boss. Subbu
directs all his energies and creativity to his boss’
advantage.
He delves into the various spheres of film-making
successfully giving the impression of being a brilliant
story-writer, a talented actor and a man who is always
ready with many solutions for any problem.

He makes the art of film-making appear rather easy for

his boss. Thus Subbu with his scheming nature takes
advantage of his boss’ gullibility and passes off himself
as a multi-sided genius with multi-faceted abilities.
MCQs
Q1- Who is the author of Poets and
Pancakes?

A) Asokamitran (1931), a Tamil writer

B) Charu Nivedita
C) Jayakanthan
D) Balakumaran
Q2- What does his book “My Years with
Boss” talk of ?

A) his job
B) explain the nature of his boss
C) explains his environment
D) impact of movies on every aspect of life
in India.
Q3- When was Gemini studio set
up?
A) 1920
B) 1930
C) 1910
D) 1940
Q4- What was the brand name of the make up
material that Gemini studio bought?

A) Pancake
B) Mancake
C) Fancake
D) latin cake
Q5- Who was Greta Garbo?

A) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner

B) a german actress
C) a French actress
D) a bengali actress
Q6- What was Asokamitran’s job in the
studio?

A) to arrange pancakes
B) to arrange make up kits
C) to serve water
D) cut out newspaper clippings on a wide
variety of subjects and store them in files.
Q7- What has Asokamitran brought up through this write
up?

A) topics of film industry

B) topics of make up industry
C) topics of gossip
D) topics of heroines
Q8- What does he bring to the notice of readers
through this write up?

A) movies and different roles

B) heroines and their tantrums
C) heroines and make up
D) Independent India and its infancy
Q9- Who was the founder of Gemini studio?

A) Mr. S.S Vasan

B) English man
C) a Tamil boy
D) a director
Q10- What has been the make up room compared
to?

A) make up company
B) a Parlour
C) a jewellery shop
D) hair-cutting salon
Q11- For whom was Gemini studio
making films?

A) for English people

B) for illiterate
C) for elderly people
D) for simple Tamilians who have no
interest in English poetry
Q12- Why is the Englishman’s visit referred as
unexplained mystery?

A) because of his appearance

B) because of his dress
C) because of his hairstyle
D) because of his unfamiliarity and baffled looks
Q13- Who was the Englishman?

A) Salman Rushdie
B) D.H Lawrence
C) George Orwell
D) Stephen Spender- Editor of a British Periodical
The Encounter
Q14- Why did he visit the studio?

A) to deliver a speech
B) to gossip with the workers
C) to check the workers
D) to know the film making
Q15- What was MRA?

A) British Army
B) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter
movement to International Communism
C) a wing of Indian Army
D) A drama company
Q16- Why was MRA invited to Gemini
studio?

A) To show their play

B) Because of political affiliations
C) because of political influence
D) none
Q17- Why did everybody in the studio think of
giving some work to the author?

A) because of the idle appearance of his work

B) because he was an office boy
C) because he was a helper
D) none
Q18- Why did the office boy in the make up room
come to the author?

A) because he was unemployed

B) because of his interest in literary arts and film
making
C) to earn money
D) to do make up
Q19- Why was the author praying for
crowd shooting at all times?

A) to attract the crowd

B) to avoid people
C) to avoid epical narrations
D) none
Q20- Who was Subbu’s enemy?

A) no one
B) the author
C) actors
D) The boy in the makeup room
Q21- The boy in the make up room was jealous of
whom?

A) actors
B) author
C) the visitor
D) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the boss
Q22- What qualities was Subbu admired
for ?

A) acting, writing filmmaking skills and the

management skills
B) acting and writing
C) flattery
D) gossips
Q23- Why was Subbu considered number 2 at
Gemini studio?

A) because of his flattery

B) because of his abilities
C) because of creative skills
D) none
Q24- Which plays were presented by MRA in
Madras?

A) Macbeth
B) Othello
C) A doll’s house
D) Jetham Valley and The Forgotten Factors
Q25- Who imitated the scenes of
Sunset and Sunrise of Jotham Valley?

A) Police
B) Scouts of Madras
C) Social Workers
D) All Tamil Plays
 Thank-You
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