Poets and Pancakes By Asokamitran

Poets and Pancakes

By Asokamitran

 

Q: What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?

 

Ans. The phrase “fiery misery” refers to the discomfort and pain that actors and actresses had to endure while being subjected to the heavy and uncomfortable make-up process at Gemini Studios. The term “fiery” alludes to the burning sensation caused by the harsh and thick pancake make-up used, which was often applied in a stifling environment.

 

Q: What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?

 

Ans. The example of national integration at Gemini Studios is the diverse makeup of the staff who came from various parts of India, representing different regions, languages, and cultures. Despite their differences, they worked together harmoniously, providing a microcosm of India’s multicultural society.

 

Q: What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?

 

Ans. The office boy in Gemini Studios was assigned to cut out newspaper clippings and paste them into files. He joined the studios with the ambition of becoming a film director or scriptwriter, but he was disappointed because his talent went unrecognized, and he was relegated to mundane tasks that he felt were beneath him.

 

Q: Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

 

Ans. The author appeared to be doing nothing because his job was to collect news clippings and information relevant to the film industry, which did not involve much physical activity. Others often misunderstood his work, leading them to believe he was idle.

 

Q: Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

 

Ans. The office boy was frustrated because he felt his creative potential was wasted on menial tasks. He was particularly angry at Subbu, whom he blamed for his lack of career advancement, and he showed his anger by speaking ill of him.

 

Q: Who was Subbu’s principal?

 

Ans. Subbu’s principal was the Boss of Gemini Studios, who had the final say in all studio matters and whom Subbu served loyally.

Q: Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

 

Ans. Subbu’s special abilities:

 

Ø  A talented poet who could write effective and pleasing poetry.

Ø  An excellent actor who could perform well when required.

Ø  A skilled writer who could come up with new story lines and scripts.

Ø  A loyal and resourceful assistant who knew how to keep the Boss happy and provide creative solutions to problems.

 

Q: Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?

 

Ans. The legal adviser was ironically called “the opposite” because his behavior was starkly different from his role; he often misled people and made situations more complicated rather than providing sound legal advice.

 

Q: What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?

 

Ans. The lawyer stood out because he wore a spotless white dhoti and coat, was always well-dressed, and was known for his rather pompous demeanor. His conduct and appearance were unlike that of the creative and technical staff at the studio.

 

Q: Did the people at Gemini Studios have any political affiliations?

 

Ans. The people at Gemini Studios did not have a particular political affiliation but were generally against communism. They were influenced by the Anti-Communist plays staged by the Moral Rearmament Army (MRA).

 

Q: Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the studios?

 

Ans. The Moral Rearmament Army (MRA) was welcomed at the studios because their plays had a simple and clear anti-communist message that resonated with the studio members, given the general suspicion of communism among the staff.

 

Q: Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.

 

Ans. An example is that the studio members began to view communism suspiciously, adopting the MRA’s anti communist stance, which influenced their discussions and perspectives.

 

Q: Who was the “The Boss” of Gemini Studios?

 

Ans. The Boss of Gemini Studios was S.S. Vasan, a powerful figure who founded the studio and had control over its operations.

 

Q: What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?

 

Ans. The lack of communication was due to the language barrier; most of the studio staff did not understand English, and the English man spoke in a manner they found difficult to comprehend.

 

Q: Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?

 

Ans. The Englishman’s visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery because neither the purpose of his visit nor his identity was clear to the studio members. They were unsure why he was there and what he aimed to achieve.

 

Q; Who was he English visitor to the studios?

 

Ans. The English visitor was Stephen Spender, a renowned English poet and editor of the literary magazine “Encounter.”

 

Q: How did the author discover who the English visitor to the Studios was?

 

Ans. The author discovered who the English visitor was when he stumbled upon a copy of “Encounter” magazine years later. He realized that he man who visited Gemini Studios was Stephen Spender, the magazine’s editor.

Q: What does The God that Failed refer to?

Ans. The God that Failed is a collection of essays by six eminent writers, including Stephen Spender, who critiqued and rejected communism after initially being attracted to its ideals. It symbolizes the disillusionment many intellectuals felt with communist ideology.

Q: The author has used gentle humor to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.

Ans. The author uses gentle humor to describe the various quirky characters at the studios, like the pompous legal adviser, the frustrated office boy, and the many-sided genius Subbu. For instance, he humorously describes the legal adviser who added more confusion than clarity to legal matters, and Subbu, who could make up stories to please the Boss.

Q: Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

Ans. Subbu was considered No. 2 because of his close association with the Boss, his creative prowess, and his ability to manage and maneuver situations in favor of the studio, thereby making him an indispensable asset.

Q: How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?

Ans. The author describes the scene humorously, noting that the poet, Stephen Spender, was addressing a largely uncomprehending audience who neither knew him nor understood his literary importance, which added to the incongruity.

Q: What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

Ans. The author’s literary inclinations suggest a fondness for humor, satire, and irony. He appreciates literature but also critically assesses the absurdities and contradictions within the literary and film worlds.

Q: Discuss how film-production has come a long way form the early days of the Gemini Studios.

Ans. Film production has evolved significantly with advanced technology and global reach, contrasting with Gemini Studio’s manual, localized, and simpler methods. Modern films feature sophisticated storytelling, diverse genres, and specialized roles, unlike the early era’s basic, melodramatic productions. Independent films and new platforms like Netflix have democratized filmmaking, allowing more voices to be heard.  

Q: Discuss poetry and films.

Ans. Poetry and films both express deep emotions and stories, using different mediums – poetry through words and rhythm, and films through visuals and sound. Both art forms often use poetic devices like metaphors and symbolism to add depth and layers of meaning. In poetry, these devices help create vivid imagery and evoke emotions, while in films, they enhance visual storytelling. Though distinct, these art forms influence each other; some films adopt a poetic style, especially in experimental cinema, creating a unique blend of visual and literary artistry.

Q: Discuss humor and criticism with reference to poets and pancakes.

Ans. Asokamitran uses gentle humor in “Poets and Pancakes” to critique workplace dynamics and human quirks at Gemini Studios. Characters like the frustrated office boy and the confusing legal adviser are portrayed humorously to reveal absurdities and inefficiencies. This light-hearted criticism makes the narrative engaging and relatable, proving humor to be an effective tool for subtle social commentary.