Class 12 English Notes Prose 6 (Poets and Pancakes) – Flamingo Book

Alright class, let's delve into Asokamitran's 'Poets and Pancakes', a chapter rich with humour, satire, and insightful observations about the film industry and human nature, taken from his book 'My Years with Boss'. Pay close attention, as understanding the nuances is key for your exams.

Chapter Notes: Poets and Pancakes (Asokamitran)

1. Setting: Gemini Studios, Madras (Chennai)

• A famous and influential film studio founded by S.S. Vasan.
• The author, Asokamitran, worked here for many years. His job involved cutting out newspaper clippings on various subjects and filing them – seemingly insignificant but providing him a vantage point to observe the studio's workings.
• The chapter offers a humorous and often critical look at the people and processes within this microcosm of the Indian film world.

2. Pancake: The Make-up Brand

• The title refers literally to the 'Pancake' brand of make-up used excessively in the studio.
• Truckloads were used, indicating the scale of film production.
• The make-up department was located in a building believed to have been Robert Clive's stables.
• The Make-up Room: Described vividly as a 'fiery misery' due to the numerous large incandescent lights. It aimed to make actors look 'ugly' to appear presentable on camera (a satirical comment on the artificiality of cinema).
• Hierarchy in Make-up: A strict hierarchy existed: Chief make-up artist for main actors, senior assistant for the 'second' hero/heroine, junior assistant for the main comedian, and the 'office boy' for the crowd players. This reflects the overall hierarchical structure of the studio.

3. Key Characters & Observations:

• The Office Boy:

  • Actually in his early forties.
  • Joined hoping to become a star actor, director, screenwriter, or lyricist but ended up painting crowds.
  • Felt his talent was wasted and blamed Kothamangalam Subbu for his woes.
  • Represented the frustration of many aspiring artists whose dreams didn't materialize in the competitive film world.
  • He would often corner the author to vent his frustrations.

• Kothamangalam Subbu:

  • Considered No. 2 at Gemini Studios, after the Boss (S.S. Vasan).
  • Officially worked in the Story Department but was multi-talented.
  • A poet (though his writing ability is questioned by the author), capable of composing alternatives on the spot.
  • An amazing actor, better than the lead actors sometimes.
  • Extremely loyal to the Boss. Cheerful, hospitable, and charitable, but also had enemies (like the Office Boy and the Lawyer).
  • His success, despite seemingly lacking the 'literary' depth the office boy claimed to have, highlights the practical, adaptable nature needed for success in the film industry. He was tailor-made for films.

• The Lawyer (Legal Adviser):

  • Officially part of the Story Department, but people called him the opposite of a legal adviser.
  • Wore pants, a tie, and sometimes a coat, looking odd among the khadi-clad poets and writers.
  • Cold, logical, and aloof.
  • Responsible for inadvertently ending the career of a talented young actress by recording her outburst on set. This incident showcases his lack of empathy and perhaps the ruthless side of the studio.
  • He was the 'odd man out' in a department focused on creativity. His departure was unlamented.

• The Poets and Writers:

  • Gemini Studios was a hub for poets like SDS Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry, Harindranath Chattopadhyay.
  • Wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but had no strong political affiliations or views on Communism.
  • Their presence highlights the studio's attempt to foster a creative, perhaps even intellectual, atmosphere, though the author subtly mocks their detachment from political realities.

4. Significant Events:

• Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament (MRA) Army Visit (1952):

  • A group of about 200 people from various nationalities visited Madras.
  • Presented two plays, "Jotham Valley" and "The Forgotten Factor," multiple times at Gemini Studios.
  • The plays were simple, moralistic, with impressive sets and costumes.
  • Welcomed by the Boss, S.S. Vasan, possibly due to their anti-communist stance, which aligned with his own views.
  • The visit had a lasting impact on Tamil drama, particularly influencing set design and costumes.
  • Shows the studio's engagement with international troupes, albeit with underlying political currents (Anti-Communism).

• Stephen Spender's Visit:

  • An English poet (and editor) visited the studio.
  • His visit was baffling to the staff, including the author. No one knew much about him or why he was invited.
  • The Boss gave a long introduction, but Spender's speech, delivered in a heavy accent, was largely incomprehensible to the audience. His topic (likely Communism and his disillusionment with it, though not explicitly stated then) didn't resonate with the apolitical staff.
  • The purpose of his visit remained a mystery for years.
  • The Revelation: Years later, the author, while looking for reading material, found a book titled 'The God That Failed'. It contained essays by six eminent writers describing their journey into Communism and subsequent disillusionment. Stephen Spender was one of them. The author finally understood the connection – S.S. Vasan, being anti-Communist, likely invited Spender precisely because of his known stance against Communism. The visit wasn't about poetry but about ideology.

5. Themes:

• Appearance vs. Reality: The make-up, the studio hierarchy, the perceived talents vs. actual roles (Office Boy, Subbu), the mysterious visits – all point to a gap between how things appear and what they truly are.
• Satire on the Film Industry: The chapter humorously critiques the artificiality, hierarchy, frustrations, and peculiar workings of the film world.
• Human Relationships & Frustrations: Explores jealousy (Office Boy towards Subbu), loyalty (Subbu towards the Boss), indifference (Lawyer), and the collective confusion of the staff.
• National Integration: Gemini Studios is presented as a place where people from different regions and backgrounds worked together, making it a surprising example of national integration.
• Communism as a Backdrop: The fear or dislike of Communism (held by the Boss) subtly influences events like the MRA visit and Spender's invitation, even if most staff were indifferent or unaware.

6. Author's Tone:

• Humorous, witty, satirical, observant, and detached yet insightful. Asokamitran uses simple language to convey complex observations and critiques.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What was the brand name of the make-up material used extensively at Gemini Studios?
   a) Lakme
   b) Revlon
   c) Pancake
   d) Max Factor

2. According to the author, the make-up department turned decent-looking people into:
   a) Beautiful movie stars
   b) Hideous crimson-hued monsters
   c) Natural-looking actors
   d) Sophisticated characters

3. Who was considered No. 2 at Gemini Studios?
   a) The Office Boy
   b) The Lawyer
   c) Asokamitran
   d) Kothamangalam Subbu

4. What was the primary grievance of the 'office boy'?
   a) Low salary
   b) Long working hours
   c) Belief that his talent was wasted and Subbu was responsible
   d) Dislike for the make-up room's heat

5. The lawyer in the Story Department was unpopular mainly because he:
   a) Wore western clothes
   b) Was associated with management
   c) Had inadvertently ruined an actress's career
   d) Criticized the poets

6. Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament (MRA) army was welcomed at Gemini Studios primarily because:
   a) They were famous actors
   b) They presented entertaining plays
   c) They held anti-communist views, pleasing the Boss
   d) They offered free workshops

7. What was the profession of Stephen Spender, who visited Gemini Studios?
   a) Film Director
   b) Actor
   c) Politician
   d) Poet and Editor

8. Why was Stephen Spender's visit perplexing to the staff at Gemini Studios?
   a) He arrived unannounced.
   b) His speech was too long.
   c) They couldn't understand his accent or the relevance of his talk.
   d) He criticized Indian films.

9. The author finally understood the purpose of Stephen Spender's visit years later when he encountered the book:
   a) Animal Farm
   b) Nineteen Eighty-Four
   c) The God That Failed
   d) Brave New World

10. Gemini Studios was a surprising example of 'national integration' because:
    a) It produced films in multiple languages.
    b) It employed people from various regions and linguistic groups.
    c) It hosted international troupes like the MRA.
    d) Its owner, S.S. Vasan, promoted national unity.

Answer Key:

1. c) Pancake
2. b) Hideous crimson-hued monsters
3. d) Kothamangalam Subbu
4. c) Belief that his talent was wasted and Subbu was responsible
5. c) Had inadvertently ruined an actress's career
6. c) They held anti-communist views, pleasing the Boss
7. d) Poet and Editor
8. c) They couldn't understand his accent or the relevance of his talk.
9. c) The God That Failed
10. b) It employed people from various regions and linguistic groups.

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the characters, the specific incidents, and the underlying satirical commentary. Understanding the context of Gemini Studios and the author's unique perspective is crucial. Good luck with your preparation!