NCERT Solutions
for Class 12 English Flamingo
Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes by Asokamitran
Updated
Syllabus for 2024-2025 Exams
Q.1 What does the writer mean by ‘the
fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer:
By ‘the fiery misery,’ the writer is referring to the intense discomfort
experienced by the actors and actresses subjected to the harsh, incandescent
lights and thick layers of make-up in the Gemini Studios’ make-up department.
The process involved applying heavy pancake make-up under bright lights, which
created a lot of heat, making the experience unpleasant and almost unbearable
for the people undergoing it.
Q.2 What is the example of national
integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
The author refers to the make-up department at Gemini Studios as an example of
national integration. The department was made up of people from various parts
of India, including a Bengali, a Maharashtrian, a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra,
a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and local Tamils. Despite their
diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, they worked together, representing
unity in diversity long before the government started promoting national
integration through radio and television programs.
Q.3 What work did the ‘office boy’ do in
the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
The office boy in the make-up department of Gemini Studios was responsible for
applying make-up to the extras or crowd players. He joined the studios with the
hope of becoming a star actor, top screenwriter, or lyricist. However, his
dreams never materialized, and he ended up doing a menial job in the make-up
department. This led to his disappointment and frustration, as he felt his
talent and potential were wasted.
Q.4 Why did the author appear to be doing
nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The author, Asokamitran, worked in a cubicle at Gemini Studios, where his job
was to cut and file newspaper clippings. From the outside, this job appeared
insignificant and gave the impression that the author was doing nothing, even
though he was responsible for keeping track of important information. People
who saw him working in his cubicle, tearing up newspapers, often thought he had
a lot of free time or no real work to do.
Q.5 Why was the office boy frustrated? Who
did he show his anger on?
Answer:
The office boy was frustrated because he had joined Gemini Studios with big
dreams of becoming an actor or a writer but ended up doing a menial job in the
make-up department. He felt that his talent was being wasted, and he had no
opportunity to advance in his career. He showed his anger and frustration by
directing it toward Subbu, whom he believed was responsible for his lack of
success. He blamed Subbu for his own misfortunes and envied Subbu’s success and
close relationship with the boss.
Q.6 Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
Subbu’s principal was the Boss of Gemini Studios, S.S. Vasan, who was the
founder of the studio. Subbu was extremely loyal to Vasan and used his
creativity and talents to help the Boss in every way possible, becoming his
trusted aide.
Q.7 Subbu is described as a many-sided
genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:
Subbu had several special abilities, including:
- Creativity: He could come up with innovative
ideas and alternative solutions quickly, which made filmmaking easier for
the producers. - Acting: Subbu was a talented actor who
could perform minor roles better than the lead actors in films. - Poetry: He was a poet who wrote in
simple, folk language that appealed to the masses. - Writing: He wrote an intricate novel
called Thillana Mohanambal, which featured well-developed
characters and depicted the lives of Devadasis in early 20th-century
India.
Q.8 Why was the legal adviser referred to
as the opposite by others?
Answer:
The legal adviser was referred to as “the opposite” because his official
title at Gemini Studios was legal adviser, but his actions often had unexpected
or opposite outcomes. For example, he unintentionally ended the career of a
temperamental actress by recording her outburst and playing it back to her,
which led to her withdrawal from the industry. This unintended consequence,
combined with his aloof and logical demeanor in a creative environment, earned
him this ironic nickname.
Q.9 What made the lawyer stand out from
the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The lawyer stood out from the others at Gemini Studios because, unlike most of
the staff who wore traditional khadi clothing, he dressed in formal Western
attire, including pants, a tie, and sometimes a coat. His logical and reserved
demeanor also set him apart in an environment filled with creative people,
making him seem out of place among the Gandhiites and dreamers who made up the
rest of the studio’s workforce.
Q.10 Did the people at Gemini Studios have
any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
The people at Gemini Studios, particularly the writers and poets, were mostly
apolitical. They wore khadi, supported Gandhian ideals, and radiated leisure,
but they had no deep understanding of political ideologies. Despite their
inclination toward Gandhian principles, they had little appreciation for
political thought and were averse to the idea of Communism, which they viewed
with suspicion as a godless and violent ideology.
Q.11 Why was the Moral Re-Armament Army
welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army (MRA) was welcomed at Gemini Studios because the
studio’s boss, S.S. Vasan, and other prominent people in Madras were impressed
by their plays and moral message. The MRA presented two plays, Jotham Valley
and The Forgotten Factor, which were well-received by the studio staff
and the local drama community. The plays, with their professional sets and
costumes, made a lasting impression, and the Gemini staff enjoyed hosting the
international troupe.
Q.12 Name one example to show that Gemini
Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
One example of Gemini Studios being influenced by the plays staged by the MRA
is the inclusion of scenes in Tamil plays that imitated the sunrise and sunset
scenes from Jotham Valley. For years after the MRA’s visit, Tamil drama
adopted the minimalist stage design, featuring a bare stage, a white background
curtain, and a flute melody, similar to the scenes in the MRA plays.
Q.13 Who was The Boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Boss of Gemini Studios was S.S. Vasan, the founder of the studio. He was a
powerful figure in the Indian film industry and also the editor of the popular
Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan. Vasan was a respected leader who played a
key role in the success of Gemini Studios.
Q.14 What caused the lack of communication
between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The lack of communication between the Englishman, Stephen Spender, and the
people at Gemini Studios was primarily due to the language barrier and cultural
differences. The audience at the studio had little knowledge of English poetry
or literary figures, and Spender’s British accent made it difficult for them to
understand his speech. The Englishman, in turn, seemed out of place in a film
studio that produced Tamil movies for a largely non-English-speaking audience.
Q.15 Why is the Englishman’s visit referred
to as an unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The Englishman’s visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery because neither
the staff at Gemini Studios nor the Boss seemed to know much about the purpose
of his visit or his significance. The staff had no knowledge of Stephen Spender
or his work, and the entire event, from his arrival to the reception he was
given, left the studio workers confused. The visit seemed out of place, given
that Gemini Studios produced films for a Tamil-speaking audience, making the
presence of an English poet-editor even more puzzling.
Q.16 Who was the English visitor to the
studios?
Answer:
The English visitor to the studios was Stephen Spender, a renowned English poet
and editor. He was the editor of the British literary magazine The Encounter,
which was not well known among the staff at Gemini Studios at the time of his
visit.
Q.17 How did the author discover who the
English visitor to the studios was?
Answer:
The author, Asokamitran, discovered the identity of the English visitor,
Stephen Spender, when he came across a copy of The Encounter, a British
literary magazine, at the British Council Library. Upon reading the editor’s
name, Stephen Spender, the author realized that he was the same poet who had
visited Gemini Studios years earlier.
Q.18 What does The God That Failed
refer to?
Answer:
The God That Failed is a book in which six prominent writers, including
Stephen Spender, describe their disillusionment with Communism. The title
refers to their realization that Communism, which they once believed in, had
ultimately failed to deliver on its promises. The book consists of essays by
authors who had embraced and later rejected Communism, reflecting their journey
and disillusionment.
Understanding the Text:
Q.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:
The author, Asokamitran, uses gentle humour throughout the text to make light
of the situations and people at Gemini Studios. Some examples of this include:
- Make-up Department: The description of the make-up
men as people who could “turn any decent-looking person into a
hideous crimson-hued monster” is humorous and highlights the
exaggerated and sometimes absurd efforts of the make-up artists. - Office Boy: The office boy’s frustration and
his habit of delivering long lectures to the author about his wasted
talent is humorous. The office boy blames his lack of success on Subbu, a
senior at the studio, which reflects his own insecurities in a funny way. - Subbu’s Loyalty: The author humorously describes
Subbu’s blind loyalty to the Boss and his ability to come up with multiple
solutions for even the most ridiculous film scenarios, such as “the
rat fights the tigress underwater and kills her but takes pity on the
cubs.” - The Englishman’s Visit: The visit of the English poet,
Stephen Spender, and the confusion it caused at Gemini Studios is another
humorous instance. The staff’s bafflement and their inability to
understand his speech highlight the cultural gap in a lighthearted way.
These instances
of humour add to the charm of the narrative, making it engaging and enjoyable
for the reader.
Q.2 Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered
No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu was considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios because of his close
association with the Boss, S.S. Vasan, and his versatility in the film
industry. Subbu had a wide range of talents—he was a writer, actor, poet, and
filmmaker. He was known for his loyalty to the Boss and his ability to come up
with creative ideas quickly, making film production easier. His multifaceted
skills and readiness to help made him an indispensable figure at Gemini Studios,
elevating his status to second in command.
Q.3 How does the author describe the
incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The author describes the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience
at Gemini Studios by highlighting the stark differences between the world of
English poetry and the studio’s focus on producing Tamil films for a largely
local audience. The Gemini staff were unfamiliar with the poet’s work and found
it difficult to understand his accent. The setting—a Tamil film studio filled
with people who had little knowledge of English literature—seemed completely at
odds with the English poet’s lecture about his experiences. Both the poet and
the audience appeared confused by the situation, which made the visit feel out
of place and unnecessary.
Q.4 What do you understand about the
author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
From the account, it is clear that the author, Asokamitran, had a strong
interest in literature and writing, even though his job at Gemini Studios
involved cutting newspaper clippings. He was observant and had a keen sense of
humour, which he used to comment on the people and events around him. His
reference to various poets and writers, along with his eventual discovery of
Stephen Spender’s identity, shows that he was well-read and had an appreciation
for literature. His ability to reflect on his experiences with wit and insight
indicates his literary inclinations and his desire to engage with the world of
writing beyond his mundane duties at the studio.
Talking About the Text:
Q.1 Film production today has come a long
way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Film production today is vastly different from the early days of Gemini Studios
in several ways. In the past, films were primarily shot indoors, and the
make-up, lighting, and sets were much simpler. Special effects were minimal,
and the filmmaking process was often labor-intensive. Today, advanced
technology such as computer-generated imagery (CGI), high-definition cameras,
and sophisticated sound and editing equipment have revolutionized the way films
are made. Outdoor shooting has become more common, and actors no longer need to
wear heavy make-up under harsh lights. The industry has also become more
globalized, with films reaching wider audiences through digital platforms,
something unimaginable in the early days of Gemini Studios.
Q.2 Poetry and films.
Answer:
Poetry and films, though different mediums, share a common thread in their
ability to evoke emotions, tell stories, and express ideas. Poetry often relies
on rhythm, imagery, and symbolism to convey deep emotions in a few words, while
films use visual storytelling, dialogue, and sound to create an immersive
experience. In the context of Gemini Studios, poets were a part of the creative
environment, but their contributions were often overshadowed by the demands of
filmmaking, which is a more commercial and collaborative art form. However,
poetry has influenced many films, particularly in their use of lyrical
dialogue, symbolic imagery, and thematic depth.
Q.3 Humour and criticism.
Answer:
Humour and criticism are often intertwined, as humour can be an effective tool
for critiquing society, human behaviour, and institutions. In “Poets and
Pancakes,” the author uses gentle humour to point out the absurdities and
idiosyncrasies of the people at Gemini Studios. Through humour, the author is
able to criticize certain aspects of the studio environment—such as the rigid
hierarchy, the office boy’s unfulfilled dreams, and the confusion surrounding
the Englishman’s visit—without sounding harsh or judgmental. This approach
makes the criticism more palatable and engaging for the reader, allowing them
to reflect on the underlying issues in a lighthearted way.
Noticing Transitions:
The transitions
in this piece follow a rambling, chatty style where one thought leads to
another. Here are a few examples of transitions:
- The description of the make-up
department transitions to the office boy, who works in the same
department. - The office boy’s frustration
leads the author to mention Subbu, whom the office boy blamed for
his lack of success. - The narrative then shifts to Subbu’s
many talents and his role in Gemini Studios, before moving on to the legal
adviser and the lawyer’s involvement in the actress’s outburst. - Finally, the story moves to the visit
of the English poet, linking back to the idea of creativity and the
role of writers and poets at the studio.