Poets and Pancakes

Poets and pancakes
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.
Understanding the text
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?
Answer:
'Poets and Pancakes' has an underlying tone of humour which is satirical and has been deployed
by the author to point out human foibles. It is mainly manifested in his description of the make-
up room people.
The make-up room, he says, was in a building that had once been the stables of Robert Clive. He
further makes fun of the make-up team that slapped make-up. Ironically, the make-up turned any
normal man into a hideous monster, far from being presentable. He also refers to the fiery misery
of the actors when their make-up was done under the bright bulbs, large mirrors reflecting
blazing heat. His description of Subbu's No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, the frustration of the
office boy and the opposite role played by the legal adviser in the acting career of a countryside
girl are humorously dealt with but effectively bring out the flaws in the set-up.
The showmanship of the boss and what influences his guest list point out human weaknesses in a
light-hearted manner. The humour is at its peak in the description of the visit of Stephen Spender.
S.S. Vasan's reading a long speech in his honour but he too knew precious little about him.
Spender's accent is highly unintelligible. Then the author's establishing long lost brother's
relationship with the English visitor is also funny and humorous. All these slight digs at human
foibles tickle in us humour.
2.Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with the story department and was No. 2 at
Gemini Studios not by virtue of any merit, but because he was a Brahmin with affluent exposure.
He was cheerful and had a sense of loyalty that placed him close to the Boss. He was quick to
delegate work to others. As if tailor-made for films, sparks of his creativity showed in his
suggestions on how to create shots. He composed poetry, scripted a story and a novel. He gave
direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years. He performed in a subsidiary
role better than the main players. He had a genuine love for his relatives and near and dear ones.
His extravagant hospitality was popular among his relatives and acquaintances, probably that is
why he had enemies.
3.How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at
Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall Englishman who was proclaimed to be
a poet. The welcome speech by the Boss was delivered in the most general terms, which only
showed that even the Boss did not know much about him. The poet talked about the thrill and
travails of an English poet which made no sense to the simple people at Gemini Studios. They
had no exposure other than films and so, they were not interested. Also, words like democracy
and freedom that featured in his speech held no interest for them as they had no political thought
or interests. Moreover, the Englishman's accent was difficult to understand, because of which all
communications failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people whose life
centred round a film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an unexplained mystery for much time.
4.What do you understand about the author's literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of maintaining the newspaper clippings of
movies and other articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers, he appeared to be
doing nothing, the job kept the author well informed. Also, there prevailed an intellectual
environment to some extent because the poets and script writers used to hang out there in the
mess that served coffee any time of the day. The author would pick up fifty paisa copies of
journals from the footpath and took part in the poetry writing competition. He actually read
essays 'The God Who Failed' to know more about the poet Stephen Spender. All these are
evidence that he had some literary taste.

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Understanding the text

2.Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

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