English Flamingo Lesson 5 Class 12th
Poets and Pancakes
By Asokamitran
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.
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1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected
to make-up’?
Answer:
The actors in the make-up room were very uncomfortable due to the heat
produced by the lights in the make-up room. As a result, this pain is
mentioned by the author. Trouble is described as a state of „flaming
misery.‟
2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers
to?
Answer:
The make-up branch of Gemini Studios was an example of national
integration. This is because people from many areas and religious groups
worked together in the same department, according to the author. A
Bengali led the department until he was succeeded by a Maharashtrian. A
Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-
Burmese, and local Tamils were among the other aids.
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 applies make-up to the players who acted in front of the
audience. He mixed his paint in a large pot on crowd shooting days and
applied it fast and noisily on the players' faces. He had gone to the studios
hoping to become a famous actor, screenwriter, director, or lyricist. He
was dissatisfied because he had failed and remained a 'boy.'
4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The author's job entailed cutting out newspaper clippings on a wide range
of topics and filing them away. Many of these have to be scribbled by
hand. Onlookers saw him simply ripping up newspapers. As a result, he
appeared to be doing nothing to them.
5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer:
Despite having a nice opening, the office boy was disappointed because
he was still only an office boy. He had received a decent education and
would also write poetry. His immense writing gift, on the other hand, was
being squandered. He vented his rage on Gemini Studios' No. 2
Kothamangalam Subbu.
6. Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
Subbu's principal was Mr S.S Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios.
7. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special
abilities.
Answer:
Subbu possessed four unique abilities:
(i) Subbu could maintain a pleasant demeanour at all times.
(ii) His sense of commitment led him to devote all of his talents to his
principal's benefit: filmmaking was a breeze with Subbu around.
(iii) He was also a poet and novelist. He was a fantastic actor.
(iv) He was a generous and loving person.
8. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations
from the account?
Answer:
The author was a prose author. He intended to submit a short story to a
British periodical called „The Encounter‟ for a short story contest.
9. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer:
The lawyer worked in the Story Division. Officially, he was referred to as
the legal adviser. His acts, on the other hand, did no one any good. He
had accidentally put a bright young actress's career on hold. As a result,
he was dubbed "the polar opposite" by others.
10. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Ans: He stood out from the crowd because of his lawyer's attire. He wore
a trouser, a tie, and a coat on occasion. Others dressed in a khadi dhoti
with a badly fitted white khaki shirt, which appeared to be everyone's
uniform.
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10. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet
addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
In English with a typical provincial accent, the English poet addressed the
Tamil audience at Gemini Studios. He was speaking to a disoriented and
silent audience about the joys and sorrows of being an English poet. This
was an oddity because his listeners had no idea what he was saying.
11. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political
affiliations?
Answer:
The majority of the people at Gemini Studios were Gandhiji devotees
who wore khadi. Aside from khadi and the wearing of khadi, they had no
political connections. They were all, however, opposed to communism.
12. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Rearmament Army was a sort of anti-communist counter-
movement. Mr Vasan and the other Madras Big Bosses simply played
into their hands. As a result, the Moral Rearmament Army was warmly
received at Gemini Studios.
13. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced
by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
The MRA's productions had a significant impact on the Madras and
Tamil drama communities. For a few years, practically all Tamil plays
featured a sunrise and sunset scenario in the style of „Jotham Valley,'
complete with a bare stage, a white background curtain, and a flute song.
14. Who was the Boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Gemini Studios' boss was Mr S.S Vasan.
15. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman
and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The majority of the 600 or so people at Gemini Studios spoke Tamil.
The Englishman addressed them in his native tongue. He spoke with an
unusual accent. As a result, there was a communication gap between the
Englishman and those who couldn't understand what he was saying.
16. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained
mystery?
Answer:
Because no one could figure out whether the Englishman was a poet or
an editor, his visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as an unexplained
enigma. Furthermore, no one in the studio understood what he was trying
to say because his accent was too thick for them to understand.
17. Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer:
Stephen Spender, an Englishman, paid a visit to the Gemini Studios. He
was the editor of The Encounter, a British periodical, as well as a well-
known twentieth-century English poet, essayist, and novelist.
18. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios
was?
Answer:
Before spending money on a short story contest sponsored by the English
periodical The Encounter, the author did some research on the
publication. He went to the British Council Library, where he discovered
that Stephen Spender, the poet who had earlier visited the studio, was the
editor of that journal.
19. What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to?
Answer:
Six famous writers, including Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio
Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender, contributed
six articles to 'The God That Failed.' The authors of each piece discussed
“their adventures into Communism and their disillusioned return” in their
unique essays.
20. 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's use of comedy highlights the peculiarities and
idiosyncrasies without making any direct or unpleasant remarks about
anyone. For example, the author depicts make-up artists and the use of
pancakes in an intriguing manner. Even Subbus caricature is amusing. It's
interesting how he attempts to help his principal by suggesting quick
solutions to his difficulties. Another example is the situation in which a
legal adviser mistakenly puts an actress's career on hold. The author has
injected light humour into the dissatisfaction of the office boy, the
shallow praising of Gandhi, hate of Communism, and the "mystery"
surrounding Stephen Spender, to name a few examples.
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21. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as unexplained
mystery?
Answer:
The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and doubts in the minds
of those who were working in Gemini Studios. The Englishman‟s name
was unfamiliar and his credentials too were unconfirmed. No one could
understand his speech so everyone wondered why he had come to a film
studio that made Tamil films for simple people who had no interest in
English poetry.
22. Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was the
purpose of his visit?
Answer:
The Englishman who visited the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an
English poet and the editor of a British periodical, „The Encounter‟. He
visited the studio to deliver a speech at the invitation of Mr. Vasan who
was the boss of Gemini Studios. He was unable to establish a rapport with
his dazed audience. No one really understood the purpose of his visit.
Even his identity was discovered by Asokamitran years later, that too by
sheer chance.
23. What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of counter
movement to international communism. They were welcomed at the
Gemini Studios due to their political affiliations. The big boss of the
studio, Mr. Vasan literally played into their hands. Also, people at the
Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the Moral Rearmament
Army could not have found a better host in India than the Gemini
Studios, who welcomed them warmly.
24. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet
addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The English poet‟s address was a complete misfit in the midst of the
Tamil knowing audience at Gemini Studios. His speech was incongruous
and his accent so indistinct that no one actually understood a word of
what he said. He was talking about the thrills and travails of an English
poet to a dazed audience. Finally, neither the Englishman himself nor his
audience understood why they were going through the entire ordeal.
25. Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some
work to do?
Answer:
The author‟s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of
subjects and store them in files. Most people saw him doing this and
considered it as useless work as they felt he was doing next to nothing. So
everyone in the studio thought of giving the author some work to do.
26. Why did the ‘boy’ in the makeup department come to the author?
Why was the author praying for crowd shooting all the time?
Answer:
The „boy‟ in the makeup department thought that he had a great literary
talent and he wanted to enlighten the author how this talent was being
allowed to go waste and that the department was fit for barbers and
perverts. The author was very eager to avoid his epical narrations so he
prayed for crowd-shooting all the time to keep the „boy‟ busy.
27. Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why?
Answer:
Subbu‟s enemy was the „boy‟ at the make-up department. All his anger
and frustration were directed against him. The boy was convinced that
Subbu was the cause of his woes and miseries. This „boy‟ was jealous of
Subbu‟s rising stars, his success and his intimacy with the boss.
28. What were the positive qualities of Subbu that the writer
admired?
Answer:
The writer admired Subbu as he was a multi¬faceted genius and gave a
new direction and . definition to Gemini Studios. Subbu knew the
technicalities and details of film-making and was a good actor and writer.
He was civil, friendly and completely devoted to his boss, Mr. Vasan.
29. Account for Subbu’s importance in Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Subbu was a multi-faceted genius. He was a poet, a writer and a great
actor. He gave a new meaning and direction not only to Gemini Studios
but also to the art of film-making by using all his energy and creativity to
the company‟s advantage. Moreover, because of his noble and charitable
nature he was loved by almost everyone.
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30. Why was Subbu considered number two at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Subbu was a go-getter and made a position for himself in the studios by
pushing his way to the forefront with flattery. Mr. Vasan was the boss at
Gemini Studios and Subbu, his right-hand man, became the number two
at Gemini Studios. Subbu used his entire creativity to his boss‟s
advantage. He was a multi-faceted genius and if a producer was not
satisfied Subbu would come up with fourteen alternatives. With Subbu
around, film-making became a sheer pleasure. Moreover Subbu gave
direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years.
31. How did the people of Madras and those at Gemini Studios
respond to the plays staged by the Moral Re-Armament Army?
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army presented two plays „Jotham Valley‟ and
„The Forgotten Factor‟ in a very professional manner. The people at
Gemini Studios saw the plays over and over again. Though the message
was plain, the costumes and sets were first rate. These plays ran several
shows in Madras and left a great impact on the studios and on Madras in
general. For some years almost all Tamil plays imitated the scenes of
sunrise and sunset of „Jotham Valley‟.
32. Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini
Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Re-armament Army was a kind of counter movement to
International Communism. The big boss of Gemini Studios, Mr. Vasan
literally played into their hands. People at the Gemini Studios had an
aversion to communism. So the Moral Re-armament Army could not
have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios who welcomed
them warmly.
33. Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by
the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
The MRA staged two plays „Jotham Valley‟ and „The Forgotten Factor‟.
These were presented in the most professional manner. The six hundred
strong Gemini family saw these plays numerous times because of their
fabulous sets and costumes. For years the Gemini Studios copied the sets
and costumes in the manner of „Jotham Valley‟. Also for some years
almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of
„Jotham Valley‟.
34. Which example of national integration in Gemini Studios is given
in ‘Poets and Pancakes’?
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios gave a rare example of
national integration. The department was first headed by a Bengali who
was succeeded by a Maharashtrian. He was assisted by a Kannadiga from
Dharwar, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian and an Anglo-Burmese.
Then there were the usual local Tamils. All this gave ample proof of
national integration.
35. Why did Asokamirtan pray for crowd¬shooting all the time?
Answer:
Asokamirtan was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-
boy often came to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and
stress the fact that a great talent was being wasted. The author was bored
with the office boy‟s never-ending babble and prayed for crowd-shooting
all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester him.
36. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at Gemini
studios?
Answer:
The author‟s job was to sit at his desk and tear up newspapers all day. He
used to cut newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and stored
them in files. His job was not directly related to film making at the studio.
So he appeared to be doing nothing at Gemini Studios.
37. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the
Studios was?
OR
How did Asokamitran come to know that the English visitor to the
Gemini Studios was Stephen Spender?
Answer:
Years later, when Asokamitran was out of Gemini Studios he bought a
pile of brand new books at a reduced price from a footpath in front of
Madras Mount Road Post Office. In a book „The God That Failed‟ six
eminent writers had described their journeys into communism. It was in
this book that he came across the name of Stephen Spender and finally
discovered the identity of the English visitor to the Studios.
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38. What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so
funny about the situation?
Answer:
The lawyer was the legal adviser of an assembly of writers of the Gemini
Studio‟s Story Department. One day, the Boss terminated the services of
the poets and writers as he found their contribution to the Studio
negligible. With the closure of the Story Department the lawyer too lost
his job. The writer found this situation funny because the lawyer lost his
job as the poets and writers were told to go.
39. Why was the office boy disappointed with his job in the Gemini
Studios?
Answer:
The office boy had come to work in the Gemini Studios in the hope of
becoming a star or a renowned screen writer, director or lyricist. But he
felt disappointed because in spite of having crossed the age of forty he
had not been able to fulfil any of his dreams.
40. Kothamangalam Subbu was treated with regard in the Gemini
Studios. Why?
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu was treated with regard at Gemini Studios. He
held the No. 2 position there. His sense of loyalty made him turn his
entire creativity to his Boss‟ advantage. Moreover, he had the ability to
inspire when commanded and he made the art of film¬making appear
very easy. He was a most charitable and improvident man.
41. Why is the Englishman’s visit to the Gemini Studios referred to as
an unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The Englishman addressed a dazed and silent audience at Gemini Studios.
No one knew who he was and what he was talking about. His accent also
defeated any attempt to understand what he was saying. The Englishman
himself looked equally baffled due to the incongruity of his talk. So his
visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.
42. Why did Asokamitran pray for crowd¬shooting all the time?
Answer:
Asokamitran was wrongly believed to have nothing to do so the office-
boy often came to his cubicle to give an outlet to his frustrations and
stress the fact that a great talent was being wasted. The author was bored
with the office boy‟s never-ending babble and prayed for crowd-shooting
all the time so that the boy remained busy and did not pester him.
43. Kothamangalam Subbu was a ‘many-sided genius’. Elaborate.
OR
Why is Subbu described as a many-sided genius? Give a reasoned
answer.
Answer:
It is through the character of Kothamangalam Subbu, that the author
depicts a caricature of the so-called „go-getters‟ who are not really
talented but manage to create an aura of talent around themselves.
Though officially on the rolls of the Story Department at Gemini Studios,
he was always with the boss. Subbu directs all his energies and creativity
to his boss‟ advantage. He delves into the various spheres of film-making
successfully giving the impression of being a brilliant story-writer, a
talented actor and a man who is always ready with many solutions for any
problem. He makes the art of film-making appear rather easy for his boss.
Thus Subbu with his scheming nature takes advantage of his boss‟
gullibility and passes off himself as a multi-sided genius with multi-
faceted abilities.
44. Asokamitran has used humour and satire effectively in ‘Poets and
Pancakes’. Discuss.
OR
How does humour and satire enliven the account of the events and
personalities at Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran in
‘Poets and Pancakes’?
Answer:
In the chapter, „Poets and Pancakes‟, Asokamitran uses a lot of subtle
humour and satire to highlight human foibles. Petty professional
differences and inconsequential differences not only keep our minds
occupied but also bring out a subtle humour that is spontaneous without
being superfluous. The characterisation of the office boy, Subbu and the
legal advisor, have subtle touches of humour. Asokamitran‟s chatty style
changes from one thought to the other rather quickly. For example, he
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makes fun of the makeup applied to artists which can change any decent
looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster. Such references
invoke laughter. The purpose of the visits of the Moral Rearmament
Army and the English poet also baffles everyone. Satire is also directed
towards people who are against communism and can go to any length to
oppose it. The writer‟s tone of ridicule is devoid of the slightest trace of
mockery, which is most commendable.
45. Subbu was ‘tailor-made for films’. How did he use his genius in
various activities in the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The author portrays Subbu as a man of versatile abilities who could delve
into various aspects of film-making successfully. Subbu had mastered all
the arts related to film-making ranging from story-writing to poetry and
characterisation. He was in fact „tailor-made‟ for film-making. Film-
making seemed rather easy with an expert like Subbu walking around as
he understood all the trivialities and technicalities of film-making. Subbu
was the one who gave „a new direction and definition‟ to the Gemini
Studios during its golden years. Subbu directed his entire energies and
creativity to his boss, Mr. Vasan‟s advantage. If his boss was dissatisfied
with one scene Subbu would offer him many alternatives. He understood
all the complications of film-making and could showcase his talent in
every artistic arena.
46. Why and how was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at
the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Frank Buchman‟s Moral Re-Armament Army comprising of a group of
two hundred people belonging to twenty nationalities visited Madras in
1952. The MRA was seen to be a counter movement to international
communism and people at the Gemini Studios did not think highly of
communism and communists. But Mr. Vasan, the boss at Gemini Studios
was fascinated by the MRA, so they could not have found a „warmer‟
host than Gemini Studios in India. The MRA presented two plays
„Jotham Valley‟ and „The Forgotten Factor‟ in the most professional
manner. Six hundred people of the Gemini Studios saw the plays many
times. These plays conveyed simple messages but their sets and costumes
were „first rate‟. They impressed both the Tamil drama community and
the Gemini Studios. The sunrise and sunset scenes of „Jotham Valley‟
continued to be copied for years to come.
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47. ‘Subbu was a troubleshooter.’ Do you agree with this statement?
Give an account of Subbu’s qualities of head and heart.
Answer:
Subbu was a perfectly selfish go-getter whose obsequiousness brought
him close to his boss and shot him to number two position at Gemini
Studios. He was a very conniving person who took advantage of his boss‟
gullibility and portrayed himself as a rather competent and able person.
Though he was undeserving and lacked talent, he always remained
cheerful and did not let anything dampen his spirits. He always had
something good to say about everyone. Film-making appeared easy with
an expert like Subbu around. He used all his energy and creativity to his
boss‟ advantage. Subbu was also a great poet and an amazing actor. He
wrote truly original poems for the masses and as an actor he played
secondary roles better than the main actors. His sycophancy to his boss
earned him enemies. Also he angered many such people who considered
themselves much more talented and deserving than him.
48. What political significance does Gemini Studios’ invitation to
Moral Re-Armament army and Stephen Spender show?
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament army was a kind of counter movement to
Communism and the people at the Gemini Studios had a natural aversion
towards Communists and Communism. They considered that the aim of
Communists was to spread unrest and violence. So by being a „warm
host‟ to the Moral Re¬Armament army the people at the Gemini Studios
actually displayed a counter movement to the ideas of Communism. By
inviting Stephen Spender, once again the purpose of the Gemini Studios
was to highlight how a renowned English poet, who was once attracted to
Communism, was later completely disillusioned by it. This further
strengthened their aversion to Communism and they were able to publicly
display this aversion.
49.Describe the make-up department in Gemini Studios.
Answer:
The make-up department of Gemini Studios was on the upper floor of a
building that was supposed to have been Robert Clive‟s stables. The
make-up room had the look of its hair salon with lights at all angles
around half a dozen huge mirrors. They were all glowing lights that made
the place so warm that the person on whom make-up was being done, had
to undergo a great deal of inconvenience. The make-up department had
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people from various parts of the country, who were adept at painting
faces. The chain of command in the make-up department, distributed the
duties of the employees, by their position in the hierarchy. The chief
make-up man did the makeup for the main actors and actresses; his senior
assistant worked on the second hero and heroine, the junior assistant on
the main comedian, and so on. The players who played the crowd were
the responsibility of the office boy, who was the junior-most.
50. The ‘office boy’ of the Gemini Studios was not as blessed as
Subbu. Explain.
Answer:
In the make-up room, as per the hierarchy, the „office boy‟ was the
junior-most and hence, was responsible for the make-up of the players
who played the crowd. He wasn‟t exactly a „boy‟; he was in his early
forties and had entered the studios years ago in the hope of becoming a
star actor or a top screenwriter, director, or lyrics writer. The „boy‟ felt
that his great literary talent was being allowed to go waste in a
department fit only for barbers and perverts.
On the other hand, Subbu had risen to the position of No. 2 at Gemini
Studios only by his being a Brahmin. He had joined the films as a make-
up boy. He must have had to face more uncertain and difficult times
because when he began his career, there was no well-established film
producing companies or studios.
51. Write a brief character sketch of Kothamangalam Subbu.
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu was universally hated by all in the make-up
department. He had a modest beginning as an office boy and had now
reached to the position of No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He was a Brahmin
and hence, had contacts with affluent people. He looked cheerful at all
times. He could never do things on his own but his loyalty endeared him
to the Boss. His creativity surfaced when commanded. He could come out
with various alternatives for enacting a scene. He gave direction and
definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years. Subbu was also a
poet and capable of complex and higher forms of poetry but he purposely
addressed it to the masses. His success in films overshadowed his literary
achievements. He composed several „story poems‟ and also wrote a
novel, Thillana Mohanambal. He was an amazing actor and performed
better than the main players. He loved people and his house was a
permanent residence for guests. Despite this, he had enemies. It could be
because he seemed so close to the Boss or because he seemed like a
sycophant.
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52. The Gemini Studios was the haunt of poets and it had its due
effect on the employees of the Studios. justify.
Answer:
Gemini Studios was the favourite hang-out place of poets like S.D.S.
Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry and Harindranath
Chattopadhyaya. The employees wore a khadi dhoti with a clumsily
tailored white khadi shirt. It was a crowd of dreamers and an assembly of
Gandhiites and khadiites. Then, Congress rule meant prohibition and
most employees worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that, they had no
admiration for the political thought of any kind. They disliked a
Communist and to them, he was a godless man with no love. He could
kill his parents or his children and he was always out to cause and spread
unrest and violence among innocent and ignorant people. Such notions
which prevailed everywhere else in South India at that time also,
naturally, floated about vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini
Studios.
53. What was the reaction of Gemini Studios to Frank Buchman’s
Moral Re-Armament army? What was the anti-climax?
Answer:
Frank Buchman‟s Moral Re-Armament army of about 200 visited Madras
in 1952, and they were given a warm welcome in the Studios. The staff of
Gemini Studios had a nice time hosting 200 people of all hues and sizes
of at least twenty nationalities. They presented two plays, Jotham Valley
and The Forgotten Factor, in a very professional manner. The employees
of the Studios saw the plays many times. The message of the plays was
plain but the sets and costumes were excellent. Madras and the Tamil
drama community were so impressed, that for years almost all Tamil
plays had a scene in the manner of Jotham Valley. Later, they learnt that
the MRA was a counter-movement to international Communism and the
big bosses of Madras like Mr Vasan simply played into their hands.
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54. How did the writer discover Spender’s identity?
Answer:
When Gemini Studios prepared to welcome Spender, they did not have
any clue about the identity of the visitor. All they knew was that he was a
poet from England. However, he was not one of the poets from England
that they had heard of. Later, they heard that he was an editor. But again,
he wasn‟t the editor of any of the known British publications. When the
gentleman arrived, the mystery of his identity deepened. He spoke but
none understood because of the British accent. Much later, when The
Encounter, a relatively unknown periodical, announced a short story
contest through The Hindu, the writer went to the British Council Library
to find out more about the periodical. When he read the editor‟s name, it
sounded familiar. It was the poet who had visited the Gemini Studios. His
name was Stephen Spender.
Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. „…..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. A dozen other buildings in the city are said to have been his
residence. For his brief life and an even briefer stay in Madras, Robert
Clive seems to have done a lot of moving, besides fighting some
impossible battles in remote corners of India and marrying a maiden in
St. Mary‟s Church in Fort St. George in Madras … ”
(a) Who was Robert Clive?
Answer:
Major-General Robert Clive was the commander who established the
military supremacy of the East India Company in Southern India and
Bengal.
(b) What was his connection with the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Gemini Studios was in a building that was believed to have been Robert
Clive‟s stables.
(c) What was his connection with Madras?
Answer:
He had lived in many buildings in the city and also married in St. Mary‟s
Church in Fort St. George in Madras.
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2. „… This gang of nationally integrated make-up men could turn
any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson-hued monster with the
help of truck-loads of pancake and several other locally made potions
and lotions … ”
(a) What is implied by ‘gang of nationally integrated make-up men’?
Answer:
People in the make-up department were from different parts of the
country.
(b) What was the job of the make-up artists?
Answer:
Their job was to beautify the actors and make them look presentable.
(c) Bring out the irony in these lines.
Answer:
The job was to beautify the actors but they turned any decent-looking
person into a tedious monster because they overdid the make-up to make
them look presentable in films.
3. „…..On the days when there was a crowd-shooting, you could
see him mixing his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd
players. The idea was to close every pore on the surface of the face in the
process of applying make-up. He wasn‟t exactly a „boy; he was in his
early forties, having entered the studios years ago in the hope of
becoming a star actor or a top screenwriter, director or lyrics writer. He
was a bit of a poet …”
(a) Who is the ‘him’ in these lines?
Answer:
„Him‟ is the office boy. He was junior-most in the hierarchy of people in
the make-up department.
(b) What was his job?
Answer:
He had to put the make-up on the crowd players when a crowd scene was
to be shot.
(c) Why was he ‘a bit of a poet’?
Answer:
His ambitions of becoming a star actor or a top screenwriter, director or
lyrics writer had been thwarted so the circumstances had turned him into
a poet.
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4. „…..The “boy” in the make-up department had decided I should
be enlightened on how great literary talent was being allowed to go waste
in a department fit only for barbers and perverts. Soon I was praying for
crowd shooting all the time. Nothing short of it could save me from his
epics … ”
(a) Who is the ‘I’? What was his job?
Answer:
He is the narrator/ writer. His job was to extract the relevant newspaper
clippings and file them.
(b) What did the ‘boy’ talk to him about?
Answer:
He told him how his „great literary talent‟ was being allowed to go waste.
(c) Why did ‘I’ wish for crowd shooting?
Answer:
That was the only time that the „boy‟ was occupied and so the writer was
saved from his lectures.
5. „….He could look cheerful at all times even after having had a hand
in a flop film. He always had worked for somebody—he could never do
things on his own—but his sense of loyalty made him identify himself with
his principal completely and turn his entire creativity to his principal‟s
advantage. He was tailor-made for films. Here was a man who could be
inspired when commanded …”
(a) Who is the person being talked about?
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu.
(b) How was he viewed by the others employed in the studio?
Answer:
They were generally angry with him and blamed him for all their woes
and humiliation.
(c) What were the strengths that endeared him to his seniors?
Answer:
He was a Brahmin and had exposure to more affluent situations and
people. He looked cheerful and was creative. Moreover, he could be
inspired when required. He was loyal to his seniors and assisted them
when they had a problem. He could suggest fourteen alternative ways of
shooting a scene. He was also a great actor.
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6. „… Often he looked alone and helpless—a man of cold logic in a
crowd of dreamers—a neutral man in an assembly of Gandhiites and
khadiites. Like so many of those who were close to The Boss, he was
allowed to produce a film and though a lot of raw stock and pancake
were used on it, not much came of the film. Then one day The Boss closed
down the Story Department and this was perhaps the only instance in all
human history where a lawyer lost his job because the poets were asked
to go home …”
(a) Who is the person being talked about?
Answer: The legal adviser is being talked about.
(b) Why was he a misfit in the studio?
Answer: Unlike the rest, he was logical, while the others were
poets/dreamers. He wore a pant, coat, and a tie in an assembly of
Gandhiites and khadiites.
(c) Why did he lose his job?
Answer: He lost his job because the Boss decided to close down the story
department.
7. „…..A Communist was a godless man—he had no filial or
conjugal love; he had no compunction about killing his parents or his
children; he was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence
among innocent and ignorant people. Such notions which prevailed
everywhere else in South India at that time also, naturally, floated about
vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Studios. Evidence of it was
soon forthcoming …”
(a) What ideology did the people in the Gemini Studios align with?
Answer: Most of them wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond
that, they had not the faintest appreciation for the political thought of any
kind.
(b) What did they think about Communism?
Answer: They felt that the Communist was a godless man with no love
and was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence among
innocent and ignorant people.
(c) What was the ‘evidence’?
Answer: Years later, it was found out that MRA was a kind of counter-
movement to international Communism and the big bosses of Madras,
like Mr Vasan, had played into their hands.
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8. „….. At last, around four in the afternoon, the poet (or the
editor) arrived. He was a tall man, very English, very serious and of
course very unknown to all of us. Battling with half a dozen pedestal fans
on the shooting stage, The Boss read out a long speech. it was obvious
that he too knew precious little about the poet (or the editor). The speech
was all in the most general terms but here and there it was peppered with
words like „freedom‟ and „democracy‟ …”
(a) Who was the mystery guest?
Answer: Stephen Spender.
(b) What were the conjunctures of the people working in Gemini
Studio?
Answer: They knew he was neither a poet nor an editor of the British
publications known in Madras. The surmise was that the poet was the
editor of a daily.
(c) What was the reaction of the people to his speech?
Answer: They neither understood the content nor the accent.
9. „… Stephen Spender, the poet who had visited Gemini Studios! In
a moment I felt a dark chamber of my mind lit up by a hazy illumination.
The reaction to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was no longer a
mystery. The Boss of the Gemini Studios may not have much to do with
Spender‟s poetry. But not with his god that failed …”
(a) What is meant by ‘a dark chamber of my mind lit up by a hazy
illumination’?
Answer: The author was able to place the guest fact appropriately now as
to the identity of the guest and the purpose of his visit.
(b) How did the narrator realize the identity of the poet who had
visited Gemini Studios?
Answer: In the British Council Library, he saw copies of The Encounter
and read the editor‟s name.
(c) Explain the reference ‘god that failed’.
Answer: Here, it refers to Communism, the idea that had seemed so
promising initially but had disillusioned many. The Boss had known
about and shared in Stephen Spender‟s disillusionment with Communism.
The God That Failed was a compilation of essays by six eminent men,
including the author, as a sojourn into communism and their disillusioned
return.
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