Poets and Pancakes: All in One Guide for Stress Free Exams

Summary of Poets and Pancakes by Asokamitran

Introduction to Gemini Studios

Poets and Pancakes is a humorous account by Asokamitran about his experiences working at Gemini Studios, one of the most famous film production companies in India, located in Chennai. The story is written in a light-hearted and chatty style, making fun of some of the everyday happenings in the studio.

The Make-Up Department

The story begins with a description of the make-up department at Gemini Studios. The make-up artists used a special make-up product called “Pancake” to make actors and actresses look suitable on screen. The make-up room was filled with bright lights, which made the actors feel uncomfortable, and the make-up was so heavy that it caused a lot of irritation. This is humorously referred to as the “fiery misery” of those who had to wear the make-up.

The Office Boy’s Frustration

Next, the author talks about the office boy in the make-up department, who is an unhappy man. He had dreams of becoming a famous actor or writer, but ended up applying make-up to extras. He is frustrated and often complains about how his talents are being wasted. He blames Kothamangalam Subbu, a successful and multi-talented man at the studio, for his failures.

Kothamangalam Subbu: The Creative Genius

Subbu is an important figure at the studio, known for his creativity and ability to come up with quick solutions for film-making challenges. He is close to The Boss of Gemini Studios, S.S. Vasan, and is respected by everyone, though some people are jealous of him.

The Mysterious Visit of Stephen Spender

The story also mentions a visit by an English poet, Stephen Spender, to the studio. His visit is a bit of a mystery because nobody at the studio knows who he is or why he is there. The staff struggles to understand his speech because of his strong English accent, and the whole event feels awkward and confusing for everyone. Later, the author discovers that Spender was the editor of a magazine called The Encounter, and he had written about his disillusionment with Communism in a book titled The God That Failed.

Conclusion

Overall, Poets and Pancakes is a humorous look at the lives of people working in a film studio, their dreams, frustrations, and the strange and amusing events that happen around them.

Character Sketches of some of the main characters from Poets and Pancakes:

1. Character Sketch of The Office Boy

The office boy at Gemini Studios is a frustrated, middle-aged man who had dreams of becoming a famous actor or writer. His job was to apply make-up to extras, but he believed his creative talents were wasted in this role. He felt that if he had been given the right opportunities, he could have achieved greatness in the film industry. His frustration is often directed at Kothamangalam Subbu, whom he views as the reason for his own failure. Despite his bitterness, his story adds a touch of humour to the narrative, as his complaints are exaggerated and reflect his deep dissatisfaction with life.

2. Character Sketch of Kothamangalam Subbu

Kothamangalam Subbu was a multi-talented man and the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He was creative, versatile, and highly resourceful, always able to come up with solutions for any problem in filmmaking. His talents included storytelling, acting, writing poetry, and even novel-writing. Subbu had a close relationship with The Boss, which made him a central figure at the studio. Despite his immense contributions, Subbu was often viewed with suspicion and envy by others, especially the office boy, who saw him as a sycophant. Subbu’s cheerful and loyal personality made him indispensable to the studio, but his success also earned him enemies.

3. Character Sketch of The Legal Adviser

The legal adviser at Gemini Studios is a serious and logical man who stood out from the rest of the studio’s creative staff. He was called “the opposite” by others because he dressed formally, wearing a coat, tie, and trousers, in contrast to the khadi-wearing staff. Although he was officially part of the Story Department, he was more of a practical man than a creative dreamer. His logical thinking is humorously illustrated when he inadvertently ruins the career of a temperamental actress by playing back a recording of her angry outburst. His character provides a contrast between cold professionalism and the artistic chaos around him.

4. Character Sketch of The Boss in Poets and Pancakes

The Boss, S.S. Vasan, is the head of Gemini Studios and is portrayed as an influential yet somewhat mysterious figure. He is the driving force behind the studio and has a keen eye for business and film production. Though the author doesn’t dwell on his personality much, it’s clear that The Boss commanded respect and admiration from his employees, especially Kothamangalam Subbu. He is also the editor of a popular Tamil weekly, Ananda Vikatan, showing his diverse interests. Despite being well-connected and powerful, he remains somewhat enigmatic throughout the story.

5. Character Sketch of Stephen Spender in Poets and Pancakes

Stephen Spender is the English poet who visits Gemini Studios, though he is initially a mystery to everyone there. His visit is marked by confusion, as no one at the studio, including The Boss, seems to know much about him or his work. His presence is somewhat awkward, and his speech is difficult for the Tamil-speaking audience to understand due to his accent and highbrow topics. The author later discovers that Spender is the editor of The Encounter magazine and one of the writers of The God That Failed, adding more context to his character. Spender represents a world far removed from the simple, everyday life of the studio’s employees.

Think as you read – I (Q&A of Poets and Pancakes)

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
   The writer refers to the discomfort caused by the bright lights and heavy make-up, which made the actors feel like they were burning. The make-up room was filled with incandescent lights, and the make-up itself was thick and uncomfortable, leading to a lot of heat and irritation.
2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
   The author refers to the make-up department of Gemini Studios as an example of national integration because it had people from various parts of India—Bengalis, Maharashtrians, Tamilians, and more—working together in harmony.
3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
   The office boy’s job was to apply make-up to the extras or crowd players. He joined Gemini Studios hoping to become a famous actor or writer, but he was disappointed because his talents were wasted in the make-up department, and he never got a chance to showcase his creative abilities.
4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
   The author appeared to be doing nothing because his job was to cut newspaper clippings and file them, which didn’t seem like much work to others. His work was quiet and behind the scenes, so people thought he was idle.

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Think as you read – II (Q&A of Poets and Pancakes)

1. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
   The office boy was frustrated because he felt his creative talents were being wasted in the make-up department. He directed his anger at Kothamangalam Subbu, whom he believed was the reason for his own lack of success.
2. Who was Subbu’s principal?
   Subbu’s principal was The Boss, the head of Gemini Studios. Subbu was very loyal to him and directed all his creative efforts to help his principal.
3. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
   Subbu had multiple talents:
   • He was a skilled storyteller and could come up with creative solutions for film scenes.
   • He was a successful actor in supporting roles.
   • He was a poet who wrote for the masses.
   • He also wrote a novel with well-etched characters.
4. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
   The legal adviser was called the opposite because he always wore formal clothes like pants and a tie, while everyone else wore khadi. He was also logical and serious, which was different from the dreamy and creative nature of others at the studio.
5. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
   The lawyer stood out because of his formal attire and his serious, logical nature, which contrasted with the casual and creative atmosphere of Gemini Studios.

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Think as you read – III (Q&A of Poets and Pancakes)

1. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
   No, the people at Gemini Studios didn’t have any strong political affiliations. Most of them wore khadi and admired Gandhiji, but they were not interested in any deep political ideas, especially Communism.
2. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
   The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed because they put on impressive plays with great sets and costumes. Their simple messages and professional performances made them popular at the studio.
3. Name one example to show that Gemini studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
   One example is that after watching the MRA plays, Tamil drama productions started including scenes of sunrise and sunset, just like in the MRA’s play Jotham Valley.
4. Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
   The Boss of Gemini Studios was S.S. Vasan.
5. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
   The lack of communication was caused by the Englishman’s accent and the fact that the people at Gemini Studios didn’t understand what he was saying. They were not familiar with English poetry or his style of speaking.
6. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
   The Englishman’s visit is called an unexplained mystery because nobody at the studio knew why he was there, and his speech was incomprehensible to the audience, making the whole event seem confusing and pointless.

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Think as you read – IV (Q&A of Poets and Pancakes)

1. Who was the English visitor to the studios?
   The English visitor was Stephen Spender, a famous poet and editor.
2. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
   The author discovered that the visitor was Stephen Spender when he saw his name in a magazine called The Encounter, which Spender edited.
3. What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to?
   The God That Failed refers to a book in which six writers, including Stephen Spender, wrote about their disillusionment with Communism.

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Understanding the text (Q&A of Poets and Pancakes)

1. 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.
   The author humorously describes the make-up department’s ability to turn handsome people into monsters. He also uses gentle humour to portray the office boy’s complaints about how his talents were wasted and the confusion of the Gemini Studios staff when an English poet came to give a talk.
2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
   Subbu was considered No. 2 because he was the most trusted and creative person at Gemini Studios. He could always come up with solutions to problems and had a close relationship with The Boss.
3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
   The author finds it amusing that an English poet, who speaks about complex themes, is addressing an audience that makes Tamil films for simple, local people who are unlikely to understand or appreciate English poetry.
4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
   The author seems to have a deep appreciation for literature and humour, as he gently critiques the absurdities of life at Gemini Studios and the incongruity of an English poet visiting a film studio in India.

Talking about the Text

Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.

1. Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
2. Poetry and films.
3. Humour and criticism.

1. Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
   In the early days of Gemini Studios, film production was largely manual, and the technology was quite basic. Actors had to endure heavy make-up under hot studio lights, and most of the shooting was done indoors. Today, film production has advanced with high-tech cameras, digital editing, and special effects. Outdoor shooting is more common, and make-up techniques have improved significantly. The rise of computer-generated imagery (CGI) has changed the way movies are made, and the film industry has become a global phenomenon with larger budgets and better storytelling tools.
2. Poetry and films.
   Poetry and films, though different in form, share a deep connection in their ability to express emotions and tell stories. In the story Poets and Pancakes, the author humorously touches on the presence of poets at Gemini Studios, showing how literature and cinema can influence each other. Poetry often inspires filmmakers in creating beautiful dialogues and scripts, while films sometimes capture the essence of poetic themes, such as love, loss, and the human experience. However, in the story, the English poet’s visit felt out of place because the film studio staff was not well-versed in poetry, highlighting the gap between the two art forms.
3. Humour and criticism.
   Humour is often used as a tool for gentle criticism, and Poets and Pancakes is a perfect example of this. The author uses light humour to point out the absurdities and ironies of life in the film studio. For instance, the office boy’s complaints about wasted talent, the confusion surrounding the English poet’s visit, and the strange hierarchy in the make-up department all serve to gently poke fun at human behaviour. Through humour, the author critiques the unrealistic aspirations of some characters, the unnecessary complications of film-making, and the occasional lack of understanding between people from different cultures.

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Noticing Transitions

This piece is an example of a chatty, rambling style.

• One thought leads to another which is then dwelt upon at length.
• Read the text again and mark the transitions from one idea to another. The first one is indicated below.
  Make-up department Office-boy Subbu

ANSWER:

The story is written in a rambling, chatty style where one idea leads to another naturally, making it seem like a casual conversation. For example, the text moves from the make-up department to the office boy, then to Subbu, without any clear-cut breaks between the topics. As you read, you’ll notice how each topic smoothly transitions into the next, almost like a stream of thoughts. The following are some of the transitions in the story:

• Make-up department → Office boy: The story starts with a description of the make-up department and then moves to the office boy, who worked there applying make-up to extras.
• Office boy → Subbu: The office boy’s frustration is linked to his envy of Subbu, which leads the narrative to focus on Subbu’s talents and his role at the studio.
• Subbu → The Legal Adviser: The discussion about Subbu’s influence transitions to a description of the legal adviser, another important figure at the studio.

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Writing: A Humorous Piece on Idiosyncrasies

You must have met some interesting characters in your neighbourhood or among your relatives. Write a humourous piece about their idiosyncrasies. Try to adopt the author’s rambling style, if you can.

ANSWER:

I have an uncle, Uncle Vijay, who is obsessed with fixing things. Now, you might think that’s a great quality to have, but let me tell you, in our household, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Uncle Vijay believes that nothing is truly broken—it’s just “temporarily out of order.” Whether it’s the leaky faucet, the squeaky door, or even the microwave that stopped working years ago, he’s convinced he can fix it. Armed with his trusty toolbox (which seems to have more screws than tools), he approaches each problem like a world-class detective on a case.

One time, our refrigerator stopped cooling. While the rest of us were panicking about the food spoiling, Uncle Vijay calmly said, “It’s just taking a break. Let me talk to it.” And talk to it he did—literally! He opened the fridge, stuck his head inside, and started whispering, as if the fridge needed a pep talk. After half an hour of this, he declared, “It’ll be fine by morning.” Spoiler: it wasn’t. We had to call a professional, much to Uncle Vijay’s dismay.

What’s even funnier is that every time something breaks, he insists that it was “never a problem until someone touched it.” Yes, the dripping tap has been going on for months, but according to Uncle Vijay, it only became a problem when someone else noticed it. His determination to fix things, whether they’re fixable or not, is both hilarious and endearing.

Extract-Based MCQs from Poets and Pancakes

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Extract 1:

“Pancake was the brand name of the make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck-loads. Greta Garbo must have used it, Miss Gohar must have used it, Vyjayantimala must also have used it but Rati Agnihotri may not have even heard of it. The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables.”

1. What was Pancake in the context of Gemini Studios?
   a) A type of food
   b) A make-up product
   c) A movie prop
   d) A costume material
2. Where was the make-up department of Gemini Studios located?
   a) On the ground floor
   b) In an outdoor shed
   c) In Robert Clive’s stables
   d) In a separate building outside the studio
3. Which actress is mentioned as possibly never hearing of Pancake?
   a) Vyjayantimala
   b) Miss Gohar
   c) Rati Agnihotri
   d) Greta Garbo

Key:

1. b) A make-up product
2. c) In Robert Clive’s stables
3. c) Rati Agnihotri

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Extract 2:

“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.”

1. What did the make-up room resemble?
   a) A restaurant
   b) A theatre
   c) A hair-cutting salon
   d) A clothing store
2. How many mirrors were there in the make-up room?
   a) Half a dozen
   b) Ten
   c) Three
   d) A dozen
3. What made the actors uncomfortable in the make-up room?
   a) The mirrors
   b) The incandescent lights
   c) The lack of space
   d) The make-up artists

Key:

1. c) A hair-cutting salon
2. a) Half a dozen
3. b) The incandescent lights

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Extract 3:

“The office boy’s job was to slap make-up on the crowd players. He wasn’t exactly a boy; he was in his early forties. He had joined the studios years ago in the hope of becoming a star actor, or a top screenwriter, or director or lyricist.”

1. What was the office boy’s primary job?
   a) To manage props
   b) To apply make-up to the extras
   c) To help in shooting
   d) To write screenplays
2. How old was the office boy?
   a) In his twenties
   b) In his early forties
   c) In his fifties
   d) In his thirties
3. What was the office boy’s ambition when he joined the studio?
   a) To become a famous make-up artist
   b) To become a star actor or writer
   c) To run the studio
   d) To manage the finances

Key:

1. b) To apply make-up to the extras
2. b) In his early forties
3. b) To become a star actor or writer

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Extract 4:

“In those days I worked in a cubicle, two whole sides of which were French windows. (I didn’t know at that time they were called French windows.) Seeing me sitting at my desk tearing up newspapers day in and day out, most people thought I was doing next to nothing.”

1. Where did the author work?
   a) In an open area
   b) In a cubicle with French windows
   c) In the make-up room
   d) In a small office without windows
2. What was the author’s main task in the cubicle?
   a) Writing scripts
   b) Directing films
   c) Tearing up newspapers and filing them
   d) Applying make-up
3. What did people think about the author’s work?
   a) He was very busy
   b) He was doing next to nothing
   c) He was writing articles
   d) He was organizing film shoots

Key:

1. b) In a cubicle with French windows
2. c) Tearing up newspapers and filing them
3. b) He was doing next to nothing

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Extract 5:

“When Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army, some two hundred strong, visited Madras sometime in 1952, they could not have found a warmer host in India than the Gemini Studios.”

1. Who visited Madras in 1952?
   a) A group of poets
   b) The Moral Re-Armament Army
   c) A film crew from Hollywood
   d) A group of actors from Bollywood
2. How many people were in the Moral Re-Armament Army?
   a) About 100
   b) About 200
   c) About 300
   d) About 400
3. What was the relationship between the Gemini Studios and the visiting group?
   a) Cold
   b) Hostile
   c) Warm and welcoming
   d) Indifferent

Key:

1. b) The Moral Re-Armament Army
2. b) About 200
3. c) Warm and welcoming