MP Board 12th English Flemingo Poets and Pancakes by Asokamitran

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MP Board 12th English Flemingo Poets and Pancakes by Asokamitran :

📖 Poets and Pancakes

Author: Asokamitran Genre: Autobiographical Essay / Memoir Setting: Gemini Studios Chennai (Madras) mid-20th century

✍️ About the Author

Asokamitran (1931–2017) Asokamitran was a renowned Tamil writer known for his realistic and insightful writing style. He worked at Gemini Studios in Chennai, one of India’s leading film production houses of the 1940s, founded by S.S. Vasan. His role there involved cutting and filing newspaper clippings, a seemingly minor job that gave him deep insight into the studio’s functioning. Despite his simple task, he became one of the most informed members of the studio. His book My Years with Boss captures his experiences at Gemini Studios and offers a humorous and reflective look at the influence of cinema on Indian culture. The chapter “Poets and Pancakes” is taken from this memoir.

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👤 Main Characters / Figures

  • Narrator (Asokamitran): Reflects on his time at Gemini Studios and observes its inner workings
  • Make-up Department: Known for using Pancake a popular make-up product, excessively
  • Legal Advisor: An unnamed person who created confusion during a poetry event
  • Subbu: A kind, talented, but underappreciated subordinate in the studio
  • MRA Guests & English poet (Stephen Spender): Visitors whose presence sparks confusion and curiosity

📚 Summary (Brief)

This chapter gives a behind-the-scenes look at Gemini Studios, a top film production house in Madras. The title refers to the excessive use of Pancake make-up on actors, including dark-skinned heroes. The essay humorously describes the make-up room, office dynamics and the arrival of poets and mysterious foreign guests.

The narrator reflects on the lack of true literary appreciation, workplace politics, and confusion caused by inviting an English poet (Stephen Spender) to speak at the studio. Only later does the narrator connect the dots when he reads Spender’s magazine essay in The God That Failed.

🌟 Themes

  • Workplace humor and satire
  • Power dynamics and creative insecurity
  • Cultural miscommunication
  • Identity, artistic freedom and social contrast

📝 Moral / Message

The piece reveals that even glamorous-looking places like film studios are filled with ordinary people, petty politics, and confusion but also moments of creativity and irony. It highlights how artistic environments are not always ideal or inspiring as they seem.

About the Text Question Answer

  1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
    o Answer: The writer means that the people who had to wear makeup under the hot incandescent lights felt very uncomfortable and suffered because of the heat.
    o लेखक का मतलब है कि जिन लोगों को मेकअप पहनना पड़ता था, उन्हें गर्म इनकैंडिसेंट लाइट्स के नीचे बहुत असुविधा और गर्मी के कारण परेशानी होती थी।
  2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
    o Answer: The author refers to the makeup department of Gemini Studios, where people from different regions and backgrounds of India worked together harmoniously.
    o लेखक जेमिनी स्टूडियोज के मेकअप विभाग का उल्लेख करते हैं, जहां भारत के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों और पृष्ठभूमियों के लोग एक साथ मिलकर काम करते थे।
  3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
    o Answer: The office boy was responsible for applying makeup to the crowd players. He joined the studios hoping to become a star actor, screenwriter, or director but ended up doing menial tasks, which disappointed him.
    o कार्यालय के लड़के की जिम्मेदारी भीड़ के खिलाड़ियों पर मेकअप लगाने की थी। वह स्टार अभिनेता, पटकथा लेखक या निर्देशक बनने की उम्मीद में स्टूडियो में शामिल हुआ था, लेकिन अंततः उसने साधारण काम किए, जिससे वह निराश हुआ।
  4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
    o Answer: The author appeared to be doing nothing because his job involved cutting out newspaper clippings and storing them, which seemed insignificant and non-productive to others.
    o लेखक को स्टूडियो में कुछ भी नहीं कर रहा दिखता था क्योंकि उसका काम अखबारों की कटिंग करना और उन्हें संग्रहीत करना था, जो दूसरों को महत्वहीन और अप्रयुक्त लगता था।
  5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
    o Answer: The office boy was frustrated because he had joined the Gemini Studios with the hope of becoming a star actor or writer but ended up doing menial tasks. He showed his anger towards Kothamangalam Subbu, whom he believed was responsible for his misfortune.
    o कार्यालय का लड़का निराश था क्योंकि वह जेमिनी स्टूडियो में एक स्टार अभिनेता या लेखक बनने की उम्मीद से शामिल हुआ था, लेकिन उसे साधारण कार्य करने पड़े। उसने अपना गुस्सा कोठामंगलम सुब्बु पर निकाला, जिसे उसने अपनी बदकिस्मती का जिम्मेदार ठहराया।
  6. Who was Subbu’s principal?
    o Answer: Subbu’s principal was the Boss of Gemini Studios.
    o सुब्बु का प्रमुख जेमिनी स्टूडियो का बॉस था।Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
    o Answer: Subbu’s special abilities include:He was an excellent scriptwriter and came up with creative ideas quickly.He was a poet who wrote for the masses.He was very loyal and supportive, always helping others with their work.
    o सुब्बु की विशेष क्षमताओं में शामिल हैं:वह एक उत्कृष्ट पटकथा लेखक थे और जल्दी ही रचनात्मक विचार पेश करते थे।वह जन साधारण के लिए लिखने वाले एक कवि थे।वह एक प्रतिभाशाली अभिनेता थे जिन्होंने सहायक भूमिकाओं में अच्छा प्रदर्शन किया।वह बहुत वफादार और सहायक थे, हमेशा दूसरों की मदद करते थे।
  7. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
    o Answer: The legal adviser was referred to as the opposite by others because his logical and unemotional approach contrasted sharply with the dreamers and creative people at Gemini Studios.
    o कानूनी सलाहकार को दूसरों द्वारा विपरीत कहा जाता था क्योंकि उनकी तार्किक और भावनाहीन दृष्टिकोण जेमिनी स्टूडियो के सपने देखने वाले और रचनात्मक लोगों के विपरीत थी।
  8. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
    o Answer: The lawyer stood out from the others at Gemini Studios because he wore western-style clothes (pants and tie) instead of the typical khadi attire worn by others, and his logical and unemotional approach set him apart from the dreamers around him.
    o वकील जेमिनी स्टूडियो के अन्य लोगों से इसलिए अलग दिखते थे क्योंकि वह पश्चिमी शैली के कपड़े (पैंट और टाई) पहनते थे, जबकि अन्य लोग सामान्य खादी पोशाक पहनते थे, और उनका तार्किक और भावनाहीन दृष्टिकोण उन्हें अपने आस-पास के सपने देखने वालों से अलग करता था।
  9. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
    o Answer: No, the people at Gemini Studios did not have any particular political affiliations. They wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but did not have a deep understanding of political thoughts. They were generally averse to Communism.
    o नहीं, जेमिनी स्टूडियो के लोग किसी विशेष राजनीतिक संबद्धता नहीं रखते थे। वे खादी पहनते थे और गांधीजी की पूजा करते थे, लेकिन राजनीतिक विचारों की गहरी समझ नहीं रखते थे। वे आमतौर पर साम्यवाद से घृणा करते थे।
  10. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
    o Answer: The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed at the Studios because their plays were well-produced, and they provided a change from the usual routine. Their visit was seen as a form of entertainment and was greatly appreciated.
    o नैतिक पुनःशस्त्रीकरण सेना का स्वागत स्टूडियो में इसलिए किया गया क्योंकि उनके नाटक अच्छी तरह से निर्मित थे और उन्होंने सामान्य दिनचर्या से एक बदलाव प्रदान किया। उनकी यात्रा को एक प्रकार के मनोरंजन के रूप में देखा गया और इसकी बहुत सराहना की गई।
  11. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
    o Answer: One example is that almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset with a bare stage, a white background curtain, and a tune played on the flute, influenced by MRA’s play “Jotham Valley.”
    o एक उदाहरण यह है कि लगभग सभी तमिल नाटकों में “जोतम वैली” नाटक से प्रभावित होकर एक खाली मंच, एक सफेद पृष्ठभूमि पर्दा, और बांसुरी पर बजाई जाने वाली धुन के साथ सूर्योदय और सूर्यास्त का दृश्य शामिल था।
  12. Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
    o Answer: The Boss of Gemini Studios was S.S. Vasan.
    o जेमिनी स्टूडियो के बॉस एस.एस. वासन थे।
  13. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
    o Answer: The lack of communication was caused by the Englishman’s accent and the fact that the people at Gemini Studios were not familiar with his language or his literary background.
    o संचार की कमी का कारण अंग्रेज़ के लहजे और इस तथ्य से था कि जेमिनी स्टूडियो के लोग उसकी भाषा या उसके साहित्यिक पृष्ठभूमि से परिचित नहीं थे।
  14. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
    o Answer: The Englishman’s visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery because no one at the studio knew who he was or why he was there. His talk did not make sense to the audience, and his presence in the Tamil film studio seemed incongruous.
    o अंग्रेज़ की यात्रा को एक अनसुलझा रहस्य इसलिए कहा जाता है क्योंकि स्टूडियो में कोई भी नहीं जानता था कि वह कौन था या वह वहां क्यों आया था। उसकी बात दर्शकों को समझ में नहीं आई, और तमिल फिल्म स्टूडियो में उसकी उपस्थिति असंगत लग रही थी।
  15. Who was the English visitor to the studios?
    o Answer: The English visitor to the studios was Stephen Spender, a poet and editor.
    o स्टूडियो में आने वाले अंग्रेज़ आगंतुक स्टीफन स्पेंडर थे, जो एक कवि और संपादक थे।
  16. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
    o Answer: The author discovered who the English visitor was when he saw Stephen Spender’s name as the editor in a periodical called “The Encounter” and later in a book titled “The God That Failed.”
    o लेखक को यह पता चला कि अंग्रेज़ आगंतुक कौन था जब उसने “द एनकाउंटर” नामक पत्रिका में स्टीफन स्पेंडर का नाम संपादक के रूप में देखा और बाद में “द गॉड दैट फेल्ड” नामक पुस्तक में भी पाया।
  17. What does The God That Failed refer to?
    o Answer: “The God That Failed” refers to a book in which six authors, including Stephen Spender, wrote essays about their experiences with and eventual disillusionment with Communism.
    o “द गॉड दैट फेल्ड” एक पुस्तक को संदर्भित करता है जिसमें स्टीफन स्पेंडर सहित छह लेखकों ने साम्यवाद के साथ अपने अनुभवों और अंततः उससे मोहभंग के बारे में निबंध लिखे हैं।
  18. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
    o Answer:
  1. The description of the makeup department turning “any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster” humorously exaggerates their overuse of makeup. o मेकअप विभाग का वर्णन “किसी भी अच्छी दिखने वाली व्यक्ति को एक भयानक लाल रंग के राक्षस में बदलना” उनके मेकअप के अत्यधिक उपयोग को मजाकिया ढंग से अतिरंजित करता है।
  2. The portrayal of the office boy, who joined Gemini Studios hoping to become a star but ended up slapping makeup on crowd players, adds a touch of irony. o कार्यालय के लड़के का चित्रण, जिसने स्टार बनने की आशा में जेमिनी स्टूडियो में शामिल हुआ, लेकिन भीड़ के खिलाड़ियों पर मेकअप लगाने का काम किया, यह एक विडंबनात्मक स्पर्श जोड़ता है।
  3. The author’s mention of the legal adviser being referred to as the “opposite” humorously highlights the contrast between his logical nature and the dreamy, creative environment of the studio. o कानूनी सलाहकार को “विपरीत” कहा जाना, उनके तार्किक स्वभाव और स्टूडियो के सपने देखने वाले रचनात्मक वातावरण के बीच के अंतर को मजाकिया ढंग से उजागर करता है।
  4. The confusion and lack of understanding during the English poet’s visit to the studio, where no one, including The Boss, knew much about him, creates an amusing scenario. o अंग्रेजी कवि की स्टूडियो की यात्रा के दौरान उत्पन्न भ्रम और समझ की कमी, जहां किसी को भी, यहां तक कि बॉस को भी, उनके बारे में ज्यादा जानकारी नहीं थी, एक मनोरंजक स्थिति पैदा करती है।
  1. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
    o Answer: Kothamangalam Subbu was considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios because of his versatility and creativity. He was loyal to The Boss, came up with quick solutions for film scenes, was a talented writer and actor, and was closely associated with the success of Gemini Studios during its golden years.
    o कोठामंगलम सुब्बु को जेमिनी स्टूडियो में नंबर 2 माना जाता था क्योंकि वह बहुमुखी और रचनात्मक थे। वह बॉस के प्रति वफादार थे, फिल्म के दृश्यों के लिए तेजी से समाधान निकालते थे, एक प्रतिभाशाली लेखक और अभिनेता थे, और जेमिनी स्टूडियो की सुनहरी वर्षों के दौरान सफलता के साथ निकटता से जुड़े थे।
  2. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
    o Answer: The author describes the incongruity by highlighting the mismatch between the English poet’s sophisticated talk about poetry and the simple, Tamil-speaking film studio audience who had little appreciation for English literature. The poet’s serious demeanor and the baffled expressions of the audience further emphasize the absurdity of the situation.
    o लेखक ने अंग्रेजी कवि के जेमिनी स्टूडियो के दर्शकों को संबोधित करने की असंगति का वर्णन यह दिखाकर किया कि अंग्रेजी कवि की परिष्कृत कविता चर्चा और सरल, तमिल भाषी फिल्म स्टूडियो के दर्शकों के बीच कोई मेल नहीं था, जिनके पास अंग्रेजी साहित्य के लिए कम प्रशंसा थी। कवि का गंभीर रवैया और दर्शकों के भ्रमित चेहरे इस स्थिति की मूर्खता को और भी उजागर करते हैं।
  3. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
    o Answer: From the account, it is clear that the author has a keen interest in literature and is well-read. He is familiar with various poets and writers and shows a deep appreciation for literary works. His curiosity about “The Encounter” magazine and the discovery of Stephen Spender’s visit to the studio reflect his literary inclinations.
    o खाते से, यह स्पष्ट है कि लेखक का साहित्य में गहरी रुचि है और वह अच्छी तरह से पढ़े-लिखे हैं। वह विभिन्न कवियों और लेखकों से परिचित हैं और साहित्यिक कार्यों के प्रति गहरी प्रशंसा दिखाते हैं। “द एनकाउंटर” पत्रिका के बारे में उनकी जिज्ञासा और स्टीफन स्पेंडर की स्टूडियो की यात्रा की खोज उनकी साहित्यिक प्रवृत्तियों को दर्शाती है।

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Chapter “Poets and Pancakes”

  1. What was Pancake in the context of Gemini Studios?
    1. a) A type of food
    1. b) A makeup material
    1. c) A film technique
    1. d) A stage prop
    1. Answer: b) A makeup material
  2. Who was the head of the makeup department at Gemini Studios?
    1. a) A Bengali man
    1. b) An Anglo-Burmese
    1. c) A Madras Indian Christian
    1. d) A Maharashtrian
    1. Answer: d) A Maharashtrian
  3. What did the makeup department at Gemini Studios specialize in?
    1. a) Creating beautiful looks
    1. b) Turning decent-looking people into hideous monsters
    1. c) Designing costumes
    1. d) Teaching acting skills
    1. Answer: b) Turning decent-looking people into hideous monsters
  4. Who were responsible for applying makeup to the crowd players?
    1. a) The chief makeup artist
    1. b) Senior assistants
    1. c) Junior assistants
    1. d) The office boy
    1. Answer: d) The office boy
  5. What was the makeup department compared to in its appearance?
    1. a) A movie set
    1. b) A hair-cutting salon
    1. c) A classroom
    1. d) A theater
    1. Answer: b) A hair-cutting salon
  6. What was the effect of the incandescent lights in the makeup room?
    1. a) They made the actors look pale
    1. b) They caused discomfort and heat
    1. c) They provided perfect lighting for makeup
    1. d) They were energy-efficient
    1. Answer: b) They caused discomfort and heat
  7. Who did the ‘office boy’ in the makeup department blame for his misfortune?
    1. a) The Boss
    1. b) The chief makeup artist
    1. c) Kothamangalam Subbu
    1. d) The office clerk
    1. Answer: c) Kothamangalam Subbu
  8. What was the main job of the author at Gemini Studios?
    1. a) Writing screenplays
    1. b) Directing films
    1. c) Cutting out newspaper clippings and storing them
    1. d) Applying makeup to actors
    1. Answer: c) Cutting out newspaper clippings and storing them
  9. Who were the poets mentioned as frequent visitors to Gemini Studios?
    1. a) S.D.S. Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry, and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya
    1. b) Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, and Subramania Bharati
    1. c) T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, and John Keats
    1. d) William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge
    1. Answer: a) S.D.S. Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya
  10. What was the purpose of the visit by Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army to Gemini Studios?
    1. a) To promote a new film
    1. b) To present plays as part of a counter-movement to international Communism
    1. c) To provide makeup training
    1. d) To host a political rally
    1. Answer: b) To present plays as part of a counter-movement to international Communism

Additional Important and Useful Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from the Chapter “Poets and Pancakes”

  1. What was Subbu’s role in Gemini Studios?
    1. a) An actor
    1. b) A director
    1. c) The No. 2 in the studio, assisting The Boss
    1. d) A makeup artist
    1. Answer: c) The No. 2 in the studio, assisting The Boss
  2. Which department was Subbu officially listed under in the attendance rolls?
    1. a) Makeup department
    1. b) Story department
    1. c) Legal department
    1. d) Acting department
    1. Answer: b) Story department
  3. What kind of literary work did Subbu create?
    1. a) Epics
    1. b) Folk story poems and a novel
    1. c) Short stories
    1. d) Plays
    1. Answer: b) Folk story poems and a novel
  4. What was the legal adviser’s unique approach during a temperamental actress’s outburst?
    1. a) He calmed her down verbally
    1. b) He recorded her outburst and played it back
    1. c) He ignored her
    1. d) He called the authorities
    1. Answer: b) He recorded her outburst and played it back
  5. Who was responsible for handling the makeup of the main comedians at Gemini Studios?
    1. a) The chief makeup artist
    1. b) The senior assistant
    1. c) The junior assistant
    1. d) The office boy
    1. Answer: c) The junior assistant
  6. What was the usual attire of most members of the Story Department at Gemini Studios?
    1. a) Western-style suits
    1. b) Khadi dhoti and khadi shirt
    1. c) Traditional Indian wear
    1. d) Casual modern clothes
    1. Answer: b) Khadi dhoti and khadi shirt
  7. What did the legal adviser wear that made him stand out from the others?
    1. a) Traditional Indian clothes
    1. b) Pants, a tie, and sometimes a coat
    1. c) A casual modern outfit
    1. d) A uniform
    1. Answer: b) Pants, a tie, and sometimes a coat
  8. What was the reaction of the staff to the plays presented by the Moral Re-Armament Army?
    1. a) They were bored
    1. b) They were indifferent
    1. c) They were impressed and influenced
    1. d) They were critical
    1. Answer: c) They were impressed and influenced
  9. Who was the English visitor that caused confusion at Gemini Studios?
    1. a) T.S. Eliot
    1. b) W.B. Yeats
    1. c) Stephen Spender
    1. d) John Keats
    1. Answer: c) Stephen Spender
  10. What was the main reason for the Englishman’s visit being referred to as an unexplained mystery?
    1. a) His visit was unannounced
    1. b) His talk was irrelevant to the studio’s work and difficult to understand
    1. c) He spoke too briefly
    1. d) He only met with The Boss
    1. Answer: b) His talk was irrelevant to the studio’s work and difficult to understand

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