V.

TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
THINKAS YOU READ
Page 59
KWhat does the uriter mean by the fiery misry' of those subjected to make up
c*,2Nhat is the example of national integration that the author refers to (Ump.)
3,,W'hat work did the 'office boy do in the GeminnStudtos ? Why did he yoin the Studios
Why uas he d1sappointed ? (Imp.)
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the Stud1os ? (CBSE 2011, 2012)
Page 61
RSWhy was the office boy frustrated ? Who did he show his anger on (Imp.)
6. JWho uwas Subbu'sprincipal ?
Lmp.)
7. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abl1ties.
8. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others ?
(Ump.)
gWhat made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios ?
Page 64
?
t0. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular politicalaffil1ations(CBSE
2011)
I Why was the Moral Rearmament Armny welcomed at the Studios ?
staged by
*12. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays
MRA. Imp.)
13. Who uas the Boss of Gemini Studios ?
4: What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini
Studios?
E. Why is the Englishman's visit referred toas unexplained mystery ? (Imp.)
Page 65
16. Who was the Engl1sh visitor to the studios ?
,H Hou did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was ?
1g What does The Gud That Failed refer to ? Ump.)
Answers
K The make-up room had lights at all angles around half adozen large mirrors. They
were all incandescent lights. They radiated much heat. So those who were subjected to
make-up had to face these lights. In such dazzling lights and heat they were trapped in
the fery misery'.
The narrator deseribes the make-up department of the Gemini Studios. It
a real example of national integration. The department was first presented
He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian. He was assisted by a headed by a Bengali
an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian and an Kannadiga from Dharwar,
Anglo-Burmese. Besides them there
were the usual local Tamils. All this is a proof that there was a great deal of national
integration in the make-up department.
The 'office boy' had the responsibility of doing the make-up of the
on the crowd-shooting day. He joined the studio to crowd. It was done
become a
writer. Hewas disappointed that his poetic talents were beingstar actor or a top screen
wasted. The department
was fit only for barbers and perverts.
 4 The duty of the narTator was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety o
subjects. He stored them in files. Most people saw him sitting at his desk and tearing up
newspapers day in and day out. So they thought he was doing next to nothing
5 When the 'office-boy' entered the Gemini Studios, he had big dreams. He wanted to
be 'astar actor or atop screen writer, director or Iyrics writer'. He was disappointea
because his poetic talent was being wasted. He was working in a department which Was
fit for barbers and perverts. He was convinced that Subbuwas responsible for all his
woes and neglect.
6. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. Mr. Vasan was the boss Subbu's sense of
loyalty made him identify himself with his principal-the producer. He turned his entire
creativity to his principal's advantage. If the producer was not satisfied, Subbu would
some out with fourteen more alternatives.
I. Subbu has been described as a many-sided genius. Four of his special abil1ties are
()a director of films
(i)a good poet
(ui)an amazing actor in secondary roles
(iv) acharitable man
give legal advice to the
g The legal adviser was alawyer. His official duty was to never impressed others
He
company. But he didn't seem to be a sharp and smart man.
brilliant career of a talented actress.
with his legal skills. He brought asad endto the
skills.
The legal adviser excelled more in stupidity than in legal
physically as well as mentally.
The lawyer stood out from the others at Gemini Studios,
and a tie and sometimes a coat.
While all others wore a khadi uniform, he wore pants
cold logic in a crowd of dreamers'. He
He looked alone and helpless. He was a man of
Gandhiites and Khadiites.
was a 'neutral' man in a group of
Studios wore khadi and worshipped Gandhi. But their
10- Most of the people at Gemini Actually, they had not the faintest appreciation of
love for Gandhiji ended here only. affiliations with any political party.
political thought of any kind'. Nor had they any
Communism.
Naturally, they were all averse to International
Moral Rearmament Army (MRA) was a kind of counter movement to
The played into their hands. People
Communism. The big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan So, the MRA could not have found
natural aversion to Communism.
at the Studios had
the Gemini Studios.
a better host in India than They were
and "The Forgotten Factor.
12. The MRA staged two plays Jotham Valley'The Gemini family of six hundred saw the
presented in a most professional manner.
simple but the sets and costumes were first
plays over and over again. The message was costunmes in the manner of Jotham
Studios copied the sets and
rate. For years the
Valley'. Studios. He ran a big establishment that emploved
13. Mr. Vasan was the Bossof Gemini satisfed
than six hundred persons. T'he Boss was a hard task-naster. Ifhe was not
more also the editor of the popular Taml
he could close down the whole department. He was
weekly 'Ananda Vikatan'.
complete disaster. No one knew
The English poet's visit to Gemini Studios was a to understand him. Gemini
what he was talking about. His accent defeated any attempt They had no taste for English
Studios and its people made Tamil ilms for sinmple people.the speaker and the audience.
poetry. Therefore, there was nocommunication between
The Studios
Je. Stephen Spender's visit to Gemini Studios turned out to be a big flopnot cultivated
provided the most unsuitable audience tor the English poet T'hey had
 any taste for English poetry. Moreover, the English poet's accent was quite unintelligible.
So Spender's visit was totally meaningless. It was an unexplained mystery.
periodical "The
16. The English visitor was a poet as well as the editor of a British
Encounter'. His name was Stephen Spender. He was also one of the writers of "The God
That Failed'. Once he used to be a follower of Communism. Later on, he fell out as he
was totally disillusioned by it.
was a big
The author knew that an English poet once visited the Studios. His visit in "The
editor's name
flop. His identity was revealed to him only when he read the who had
Encounter'. He heard a bell ringing in his heart. He was Stephen Spender
visited the Gemini Studios.
by six eminemt men of letters. All
o. The book "TheGod That Failed' contains six essays
they came out of it completely
of them were once attracted to Communism. But writers try to prove
disillusioned. The God that failed' is about Communism. All the six
that Communism tried to create a new man but failed.
UNDERSTANDING THETEXT (Page 66)
KThe 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 ?
Or
Discuss.
1.Asokamitran has used humour and satire effectively in Poets and Pancakes.
(CBSE 2012)

LWhy was Kothamangalam Subbuconsidered No. 2 in Gemini Studios ? (V. Imp.)

A8. Howdoes the author deseribe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience
at Gemini Studios ? (V. Imp.)
4. What do you understand about the author's literary inclinations from the account?
Answers
In Poets and Pancakes' Asokamitran uses gentle humour and satire to point out
human weaknesses and absurdities. The humour used by the narrator is not pungent
or caustic. It tickles but doesn't bite. The first line of the narration gives a glimpse of it.
The brand name of the make-up material is Pancake'. And it is bought in truckloads !
The make-up room was in a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive's
stables. The description of the make-up men is quite humorous as well as satirical.
They could turn any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster'.
The narrator continues: "The chief make-up man made the chief actors and actresses
ugly ". Another example of gentle humour is the deseription of the office boy. He
wasn't exactly a'boy'; he was in his early forties...
The author'sdescription of the lawyer is also quite humorous and satirical. The law
yer was also 'officially known as the legal adviser. But everybody referred to him as the
opposite.' Similarly, he gently laughs and satirises at the ignorance of the MRA group
about animals.
His description of English poet is equally humorous. He asks What is
poet doing in a studio which makes Tamil films ... ? an English
Poets and Pancakes' Asokamitran $art 4If0 r afai at fTs TAG
 Kothamangalam Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. Subbu was the man who
gave a new 'direction and definition' to Gemini Studios. He was a man of many-sided
genius. With Subbu around, film making became a sheer pleasure. He was the right
hand man of the Boss'.
Subbu was a self-made man. He faced difficult and uncertain times. He could be
cheerful at all times, even after makingaflop film. He turned all his energy and creativity
to the advantage of his 'Boss'.
Subbuwas tailor-made for flms. If the producer was not satisfied with a scene, he
would come out with fourteen more alternatives. He was a good poet. He wrote for the
common people.
Subbu was an 'amazing' actor. He never aspired for the lead roles. He always performed
better than the main players. He had a genuine love for everyone. But the office-boy'
considered Subbu the reason of all his woes and neglect.

poet
Gemini Studios was preparing itself to welcome another visitor. He was a one
3, The
England. The simple Gemini staff heard of only Wordsworth or Tennvson. No
from no one in the Studios was certain about
visiting the Gemini Studios. And
knew the poet
the purpose of his visit. poet arrived. He was a tall man, very English.
At last. around four in the afternoon the
too
very serious. The Boss read out a long speech. lt was quite clear that he
He was No one knew what he was talking about.
knew little about the poet. Then the poet spoke.
English poet doing in a film studio ? Everyone asked that question. The
What was an and hard lives couldn't afford the luxury
Gemini Studios made Tamil films. Their simple
continued for an hour. Then the poet left.
of poetry. The whole uninteresting drama looked quite baffled too. In short, the
"The people dispersed in utter confusion. The poet 'unexplained mystery.'
visit of the English poet (Stephen Spender) remained an
 VI. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
.Why was Pancake' brought in truck-loads in the GeminiStudios ?
ns. 'Pancake' was the brand name of the make-up material. It was frequently used in
the make-up rooms all over the world. Pancake' was brought in truck-loads in the Gemini
Studios. Such apopular brand was used by beautiful actressesall over the world. Naturally, it
was in great demand at the Germini Studios.
IS 0. 2, What misery did the ner nlo
 Ans. The make-up room of the Gemini Studios hadthe look of a hair-cutting s
had a dozen large mirrors. There were incandescent lights at all angles around them. So they
had to face the immense heat radiated by these lights. Amidthe dazzling lights and heat the
people had to pass through the fiery misery inside it.
Q8. There was a great deal of national integration in the make-up department. wny
does the narrator say so ? (V. Imp.)
Ans. The make-up department of the Gemini Studios attracted people from all parts or
India. It was headed by a Bengali whowas succeeded by a Maharashtrian. He was assisted by
Kannadiga and a person from Andhra. Besides them there were usual local Tamils. 1ne
department presented a picture of national integration.
Q.4. How was a strict hierarchy maintained in the make-up department 7
Ans. Astrict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department. The make-up of
the chief actors and actresses was done by the chief make-up man, The senior assistant made
the make-up of the 'second' hero and heroine. The junior assistant looked after the main
comedian. Theplayers who played the crowd were the responsibility of the 'office-boy.
S Q. 5. Describe the job of the office-boy' in the Studios. What dreams did he
entertain when he entered the Gemini Studios ? (Lmp.)
Ans. The office-boy' was not a boy' but a man in his early forties. It was his responsibility
to do the make-up of those players who made the crowd. The 'office-boy' had entertained the
dreams of becoming a star actor or a top screen writer. Being a director or a lyrics writer were
some his other preferences.
9.6. What was the job of the narrator ? Why did he appear to be doing nothing
all the times ?
Or
Why was the crofter so friendly and talkative with the paddler? (CBSE 2012)
Ans,. Asokamitran's job in the Gemini Studios was to cut out newspaper clippings on a
wide variety of subjects. He was to store them in files. "T'he people saw him doing nothing
doing next
except tearing up newspapers day in and day out. Most people thought that he was
to nothing.
Q.Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to
do ? (CBSE 2008)
Ans. Everybody in the studio thought that the author did 'next to nothing. They used to
see him sitting at his desk tearing up newspapers day in and day out. So, everybody thought
of giving the authorsome work to do. It created a reaction. He appeared to be siting idle and
doing nothing.
Q. 8. Why did the boy' in the make-up department come to the author ? Why
the time ?
wasthe author praying for crowd shooting all (CBSE 2008)
Ans. The boy' in the make-up department considered himself a great literary talent.
He wanted totell the author how his literary talent was allowed to go waste. That department
was fit for barbers and perverts. The author wanted to avoid his epical descriptions. He praved
for crowd-shooting all the timeto keep the boy' busy in his work.
Q. 9. Against whom was the anger and frustration of the boy directed 2Why
was he frustrated ?
Ans. The ofce-bov was frustrated. ln spite ofgO0d education all his dreams ended in
smoke. He could not become a star actor, a areCUOr or a Script writer. So he was
His disappointment and anger was directea aganst subbu, He disappointed.
of all his troubles and neglect. considered himn the root cause
 Q. J0. Compare and contrast Subbu and the 'ofice-boy'. (Imp.)
Åns. Subbu wasa many-sided genius. The 'office-boy' on the other hand, was a frustrated
man. His dreams of becoming a top actor or director couldn't be fulfilled. He considered Subbu
the root cause of all his troubles and neglect. Subbu gave a new direction and definition to
GeminiStudios and the art of making flms. He rose to be No. 2 in the Gemini Studios.
Q. 11. How did Subbu emerge on No. 2 position in the Gemini Studios? List
three of his important peculiarities. (Imp.)
Ans. Subbuwas a many-sided genius. He was a self-made man. He had modest education
and began his career in hard times. He was a poet, writer and a good actor. He gave a new
definition and direction to the Studios and to the art of film making. So he justified his position
of being on No. 2 in the Gemini Studios.
Q. 12. How did Subbuidentify himself vwith his principal or the Boss ?
He
Ans. Subbu's sense of loyalty alwavs made him think of his principal's interests.
identified himself with his Boss, Mr. Vasan completely. He turned his entire energy and
scene, Subbu
creativity to his principal's advantage. If his boss was not satisfied with one
offered him fourteen alternatives.
around'.
Q. J8. Film-making must have been and was sO easy with aman like Subbu
Justify this statement.
making.
Ans. Subbu was a many-sided genius. He understood all the intricacies of film
He used all his energy and creativity for the benefit of the company. If the producer was not
satisfied with the setting, he would come out with fourteen other alternatives. So, film making
really became so easy when Subbu was around.
Q. 14. Who was Subbu's enemy ? Why ? (CBSE 2008)
Ans. Even such a noble and charitable person like Subbu had an enemy. The 'boy in
the make-up department was the only enemy of Subbu. All his frustration and anger was
directed against Subbu. He was convinced that all his woes and neglect were due to Subbu.
"The boy' was jealous of Subbu's rising stars and success and his intimacy with the Boss.
Q, J8. How did the lawyer unwittingly bring an end to a brief and brilliant
career of a young actress ? (V. Imp.)
Ans. The lawyer seemed to be a dead-wit. An extremely talented but a moody actress
once burst out on the sets. While everyone stood surprised and stunned, the lawyer switched
on the recording equipment. When she heard her voice again through the sound equipment.
she was struck dumb. That was the end of her bright film career so unwittingly ruined by the
lawyer.
IST Q. 16. How was the lawyer completely out of tune with all others at the Gemini
Studios ?
(Ump.)
Ans. The lawyer didn't share anything with other members of the Studios. All members
wore a khadi uniform. But the lawyer wore pants, a tie and sometimes a coat. He looked alone
and helpless. He was 'a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers'. He was a 'neutral' man in a
group of Gandhiites or Khadiites.
7. What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so funny
about the situation ? (CBSE 2012)
Ans. One day the Boss decided to close down the Story Department at the Gemini
Studios. So the lawyer lost his job. The writer finds the situation quite 'funny'. It was perhaps
the only instance in all human history where 'a lawyer lost his job because the poets were
asked to go home'.
 Q- 6. Why was the Gemini Studios the
favourite haunt of poets ?
Ans. During those days the Gemini Studios was the favourite haunt of poets. It had an
excellent mess which supplied good coffee at all times. The Studios radiated leisure, a pre
requisite to poetry. So all prominent poets used to frequent there.
J . Most of the people at the Studios had no affiliations to political thought of any
kund but they were all averse to the term 'Commuism'. Give a reasoned answer.
Ans. Most of the people at the Gemini Studios wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji.
But beyond that they had no political affiliations, But they were all averse to the term
Communism'. They had all kinds of prejudices against them, They considered them Godless
persons. They were out tO spread unrest and violence among innocent and ignorant people.
S Q. 20. Describe Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament Army and its visit to
the Gemini Studios. (Imp.)
Ans. Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament Army was a group of two hundred strong
people.They belonged to at least 20 nationalities. The MRA was a kind of counter movement
tointernational Communism. Most of the people at the Gemini Studios had natural aversion
to Communism. Therefore, the MRA couldn't get a better host in India than the Gemini Studios
in 1952.
Q.21How was the GeminiStudios and other Tamil plays influenced by the
phays staged by MRA ?
Or
How did the people of Madras and those at the Gemini Studios respond to the
plays staged by the Moral Re-Armament Army ? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. MRA presented two plays Jotham Valley' and "The forgotten Factor' in ahighly
professional manner. The Gemini family saw the plays over and over again. The message was
plays were
plain but the sets and costumes were first rate. The Studios and other Tamil
for vears.
terribly impressed. They imitated scenes of sunrise and sunset of Jotham Valley
Q. 22. What do you learn about the literary taste of the staff of GeminiStudios as far as
English poetry was concerned? (CBSE 2012)
Ans. The literary taste of the staff of Gemini Studios as far as English poetry was
concerned, was not very high. They were the people who made Tamil films and their lives
didn't afford them thepossibility of cultivating a taste for English poetry. The simple Gemini
staff only knew or heard of Wordsworth and Tennyson. The more literate ones knew of Keats.
Eliot.
Shelley or Byron. Only one or two of them might have heard the name of
ET ), 23. Describe how the visit of the English poet Stephen Spender was a total
flop andremained an unexplained mystery. (V. Imp.)
Ans. The visit of Stephen Spender at the Gemini Studios was a total flop. No one knew
the poet. Norhad the people at the Studios any taste for English poetry. Nobody could make
and the poet guite baffled. Why did
out what he was saving. The audience remained confused
Spender visit the Studios ? It remained an unexplained mystery.
9. 24. No one knew what the English poet was talking about. The poet looked pretty
bafled too. What was the reason of the total lack of communication between
the two?
Ans. The visit of the English poet proved to be a great disaster. The people at the
Gemini had not cultivated any taste for English poetry. Moreover, the accent of the poet posed
a great problem. Noone knew what he was talking about. The whole thing lasted for an hour.
Thepoet was quite baffled himself.
 Q. 25. How did the narrator discover that the English poet who CAme to the
Studios and the editor of The Encounter' was the same person 7
Ans. Very few were familiar with the English poet whovisited the Gemini Studios.
Even the Boss' didn't know much about him. Once the narrator was going through the periodical
"The Encounter. When he read the editor's name, he was surprised. He was Stephen Spender.
He was the same poet who had visited the Gemini Studios.
Q. 26. Who was Stephen Spender ? How was he connected with (i) 'Communism
(iü) The Encounter' (üii)The God That Failed'?
Ans. Stephen Spender was an English poet. He was also the editor of a British periodical
named "The Encounter. Once he was attracted to Communism. But he was disillusioned with
The six writers
it. Stephen Spender was one of the writers of the book The God That Failed'.
describe their journey into Communism and their disillusioned return.
Q.27. What does the book The God That Failed' refer to ? How is it connected
with the English poet who had visited the Gemini Studios ? (Tmp.)
writers
Ans. The book The God That Failed' describes the attraction of six famous
(Communism)
towards Communism during their earlier days. It also describes how that God
failed to deliver the good and left them disillusioned. Out of those six writers one of them was
Stephen Spender. He had visited the Gemini Studios earlier.
Q. 28-Mhy did the Boss' have nothing to do with The God That Failed' ?
Ans. Most of the people at the GeminiStudios had natural aversion to Communism. So
had the Boss' Mr. Vasan. The narrator says that Mr. Vasan might have had no interest in the
poetry of Stephen Spender. But definitely, he had nothing to do with Spender's God,
Communism that had failed tochange the world.
 g6. What political significance does Gemini Studios' invitation to Moral Re
Armament army and Stephen Spender show ? (CBSE 2012)
Ans. Gemini Studios' invitation to Moral Re-Armament Army and Stephen Spender
had definitely a political significance. Generally it appeared that the Gemini staff had not the
faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind. Most of them wore khadi and worshipped
Gandhiji. But all of them were averse to the term 'communism'. They considered communists
as godless men. They had no filial or conjugal love. They thought that communists had no
compunction about killing their own parents or children.' They were always out to spread
unrest and violence among ignorant people. Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament Army
was a kind of counter movement to international communism. The big bosses of Madras like
Mr.Vasan played into their hands. MRA could not have found a warmer host in India than the
Gemini Studios.
Even the visit of the English poet Stephen Spender had a political significance. Stephen
Spender was once attracted tocommunism but was later on disillusioned with it. He turned
against communism and was one of the six writers who wrote "God That Failed'. The Boss and
the staff of the Gemini Studios were rabidly anti-communist. Naturally, a poet like Stephen
Spender whowas disillusioned by communism, was an honoured guest at the Gemini Studios.
Gemini Studios E1 Moral-Re-Armament Army st Stephen Spender t frtu 1