POETSAND PANCAKES

Asokamitran

About the Author

name of Jagadisa Thyagarajan, an
Asokamitran (1931 - 2017) was the peninfluential figures in
most
Chapler Sketch Indian writer regarded one of the He authored more than two hundred
humorous and postindependence Tamil literature.
and novels.
Prets and Pancakes is a novellas
Asokamitran's experiences short stories and a dozen 1952
nteresting account of
has interesting Secunderabad in 1931 and moved to Chennai in
Gemini Studios in Madras. It company in He was born in friend, the film director SS
Srptions of personalities in afilmvividly brings invitation from his father's
following an than a decade at
Indian cinema. Heweaknesses of
early days ofeccentricities at Gemini Studios. He worked for more
uSome of the
and Vasan, to work
writing about his experiences of working in
echaracters in a delightful
manner. The present the GeminiStudios. He began columns for the Illustrated Weekly
of India;
'My Years with industry in a set of
apter s an excerpt from his book the film book, 'My Years with Boss'.
Boss these columns later became his

About the Characters Summary of the Chapter

Boss He is Mr. SS Vasan, the founder of Make-up Department of GeminiStudios
bemini Studios. He had a liking for erudite The building which was sa
E10 scholarly people. He seems to be a department of Gemini Studio was in a
The make-up
erstwhile stable. In the studios, the makeup mater
uibie man who is Surrounded by shallow to be Robert Clive's
R0pe and sycophants. brand name 'Pancake' was used profusely. All actresses of yesteryea
with the the author feels that modern actresses n
Subbu He is the no 2at Gemini Studios. were familiar with it. However, Clive by sayi
e always looked cheerful andwas highiy aware of its existence. The author mocks Robert
not be even residences
Eso rceful, charitable and of a loving nature. said tohave lived in a number of
E was also an amazina actor, poet and that during his short life he is even got married here.
Ovelist He was alwavs seen with the Bos. Ma Iras. He fought battles and
lawyer working in Make-up room
AVivid Description of the haircutting salon. lt was filled with la
Legal Adviser He was
ine Story Departrnent of Gemini Studios. He a
The makeup room looked like angles. It was not a very pleasing experie
unintentionally
budding actress.
ended the career of a
mirrors and flooded with lights at all of the heat from the dazzling lights.
Office Boy He is in the make-up Department
to get the makeup done here because
of Gemini Studios and does the make up of
and National Integration
players in the crowd scenes of films. He The Make-up Department integration
aspired to be a top film star, screen writer, department of Gemini Studios is a symbol of National Maharasht
director or Iyric writer, but was a highly This
was headed by a Bengali. He was succeeded by a
Initially, it Kannadiga. Then different people
fbecome
rustrated anymanof them.
because he could not
whowas assisted by a Dharwar
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (c) interaction with others
(d) ability to create and manage things
Case, there was this man in the make-up
n any
1 department who would wish the direst things Ans (d) ability to create and manage things
orSubbu. Here direst things' refers to
somethingthatis CBSE Question Bank 2021
7 Most of the people in the Gemini Studio
believed in
(a)urgent (b)desperate (a) liberalism (b)communism
(c)disastrous (d) dreadful (c) realism (d) idealism
ns(d)drcadful
Ans (b) communism
An extremely
2 extremely
talented actress, who was also 8 Pick the quote which best describes Subbu's
temperamental, once blew over on role in Gemini Studios based on the story.
the sets 1. "Life's too short to hang out with people
Dick theidiom that matches best with 'blew over! who aren't resourceful".

(a) At one'swits
end 2. "The more a person limits himself, the
(b) Get bent out of shape more resourceful he becomes",
blues 3. "Success is not about your resources. It's
(c) Have the
needles about how resourceful you are with what
(d) Experience pins and
shape you have".
Ans (b) Get bent out of 4. "Resourcefulness: Seeing where you want
3 Often he looked alone and helpless- a man of to go and taking the first step".
cold logic in a crowd of dreamers... It can be CBSE Question Bank 2021
inferred that the man (a) Option 1 (b) Option 2
(a) rationalised every thought before it was spoken. 3 d d (d) Option 4
(c) Option
(b) failed to consider human emotions and social Ans (c) Option 3
dynamics.
(c) was critical of what others did around him.
(d) egoisticand always thought others lacked EXTRACT BASEDQUESTIONS
reason.
Read the extracts given below and answer the
Ans (b) failed to consider human emotions and social questions that follow.
dynamics. the
1 The players who played the crowd weredays
4 What is the example of National Integration in responsibility of the office boy-on the
Poets and Pancakes'? when there was a crowd shooting, you could
(a) Make up department of Gemini see him mixing his paint in a giant vessel and
(b) Rehearsal room slapping it on the crowd players.
(c) Office of Gemini studio
() What does slapping it on crowd players' indicate?
(d) The mess (a) Disappointment (b) Anger
Ans la) Make up department of Gemini (c) Frustration (d) All of these
5 Why Was the office boy disappointed with his (i) Select the suitable word from the extract to
job in Gemini studios? complete the following analogy.
a) Because of its monotony slapping : painting :: :actors
(b) Because of his inability to be a star
(c) (ii) Who was the office boy?
Because of his boss (a) A young boy of 20 years
(d) Because of his intimacy with boss
(b) A man is his early forties
Ans (b) BBecause of his inability to be a star (c) He wanted to become a
star actor or director
6 Subbu was termed as many ysided genius' bythe but could not
(d) Both (b) and (c)
author because of his
(a) his flattery
(b) gossip style
 Allinone ENGLISH
264
CORE C
boy always
(vi) Why was officeattained
(iv) What was the responsibility of the office boy? (a) Subbu had No. 2angrytionwith
posi
(a) To do makeup of senior actors (b) Subbu had|insulted the
(b) To do make up of extras or 'cTOWds' in a crowa office boy
(c) office boy was at par with
shoot
(c) To provide food to everyone in the makeup
(d) Thought Subbu Subbu
to be very clever
at
in edu.
(i) (b) No. 2 boss Gemini
department
(d) To help the cheif camera man
Ans
(ii) Frustrated Sttudios
() Do you think that a hierarchy existed in the (iiü) (d) Both (a) and (b)
GeminiStudios? (iv) No, I do not think that the
(vi) Completethe sentence with an appropriate sarcastically
narnarrraattoorr isis
appreciative of Subbu. The
highlighting
explanation, as per the extract.
The office boy was disappointed because.
Ans (i) (d) All of these
Subbu to show how vain he is.
(v) Subbu couldn't have had any
over the boy.
th:quasuperilit esot of
e
(ii) players. (vi) (a) Subbu hadl attained No. 2
(ii) (b) A man in his early forties.
3 His success in films overshadowed and
position
(iv) (b) To do make up of extras or 'crowds' in a
dwarfed his literaryy:
crowd shoot
(v) Yes, I think that a hierarchy existed in the critics achievements-ortraly
so i
felt. He composed several
Gemini Studios because the responsibility of and dictionoriandga
'story poems' in folk refrain
the officeboy has been specifically also wrote asprawling novel Thillana
highlighted. This indicates that the make-up Mohanambal with dozens of very defty e
task of other actors were given to people at characters.
different positions.
(vi) he could not becomeeither a star, a lyric He quite successfully recreated the mod
writeror a director. manner of the Devadasis of the early 2HA
2 "Even in the matter of education, especially century. He was an amazing actor-he ner
formal education, Subbu couldn't have had an aspired to the lead roles-but whatever
appreciable lead over the boy. But by virtue of subsidiary role he played in any of the filn:
being born a Brahmin - avirtue indeed! - he he performed better than the supposed ma
must have had exposure to more affluent players. He had agenuine love for anyon
situations and people. came across and his house was a permanen
() Who was Subbu? residencefor dozens of near and far relatios
(a) Chief makeup man and acquaintances. CBSE Question Bank 2
(b) No. 2 boss at GeminiStudios
(c) Owner of Gemini Studios () Which of these statements is NOT TRUE obou
(d)Film Director at Studio Subbu?
(a) His literary accomplishmnents stole the
() Replace the underlined word with its synonym limelight from his films.
from the extract. The office boy appears to be a (b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his Iiee
dissatisfied man as he could not acquire any works were noteworthy.
good position in Gemini Studios. (c) He was selfless in nature and was empathei
(ii) Why according to the narrator born a Brahmin' towards others.
EXAM
PRACTICE (a) Brahmins are the highest caste
is a virtue? (d) He never hankered after lead roles and
performed minor roles in films.
(b) treated with reverence in Tamil Nadu
(c) Brahmins have more brains (i) The word sprawling' has been used withthe
(d) Both (a) and (b) word 'novel. Pick the option with whichthe
(iv) On the basis of the given extract do you think word sprawling' CANNOT be used.
(a) Metropolis (b)Handwriting
that the narratoris appreciative of Subbu? (c) Campus (d) Portrait
(v Rewrite the sentence by replacing the Subbu
(ii) The phrase deftly etched' shows that
underlined phrase with its inference. (a) created the roles delicately.
Subbu couldn't have had an appreciable lead (b) was skilful in creating the charates.Chara
on the boy. (c) pondered beyond aboutthe
necessityto the characters.
(d) gave very little thought
yand
Pancakes 265

the blank.
theoption
Pck
that best
extract
describes Subbu (M) Select the correct option to fill in
tordingtothe The harm done to the actress was a/an
1.benevolent 2. powerful (a) well-planned act
3.accomplished 4. witty (b) unintentional act
5.generous 6. temperamental (c) act of jcalousy
and6 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (d) act of male dominance
5
a)4 (d) 3 ,4 and 6
13ands
(iv) Based on the above extract, choose the
tonedoes the narrator talk about
Wihwhat statement that is TRUE for the legal advisor.
wSubbu'sliterarygenius?
(a) He disliked the actress from the countryside.
Why
does,the narrator say that Subbu never (b) He acted after thinking through things carefully.
department.
be lead actor even though he was
cspireto a (c) He did not gel well with others in the
onomazingactor? (d) He was always dressed smartly.
(a) His literary accomplishments stole the (V) ldentify the textual clue that allows the reader to
y)
limelight from his films. infer that the writer is sympathetic towards the
ü) (d)portrait professional fate of the actor. (Clue: a phrase)
i) (b)
was skilful in creating the characters. (vi) Complete the sentence with an appropriate
and 5
(v) (c) 1,3 explanation, as per the extract. The writer uses
The narrator talk about Subbu's literarv the word uniform' to refer to the outfits of the
genius in sarcastic
to
department members because just like a
The narrator says that Subbu never aspired
be a lead actor because he was not an uniform
Ans (i) (b) situations that require one to be street smart
amazing actor. By calling him an amazing (iü)Catapulted
actor, the narrator is actually mocking Subbu. (iiü)) (b)unintentional act
Agirl from the countryside, she hadn't gone (iv) (c) He did not gel well with others in the
through all the stages of worldly experience department.
that generally precede a position of (v) The phrase 'sad end shows that the writer is
importance and sophistication that she had sympathetic towards the professional fate of
tound herself catapulted into. She never quite the actor.
TRCOvered from the terror she felt that day. (vi) The writer uses the word 'uniform' to refer to
the outfits of the departmnent members
That was the end of a brief and brilliant because just like a uniform which is a common
ating career the legal advisor, who was dress code for all, the dress worn by the
dso amember of the Story Department, had employees of the makeup studio was nearly
unittingly broughtabout that sad end. the samne - l0ose khadi shirt and khadi dhoti.
While every other member of the department
WOre akind of uniform -khadi dhoti with a 5 Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks,
everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure,
Sightly oversized and clumsily tailored white apre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore
khadi shirt the legal advisor wore pants khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond
and atie and sometimes a coat that looked that they had not the faintest appreciation for
coat of mail. COften, helooked alone and political thought of any kind. Naturally, they
were all averse to the termnCommunism'. A
helSelleectssthe...optionthat completesthe given
CBSE SQP 2023
communist was a godless man-he had no filial
EXAM
PRACTICE
or conjugal love; he had no compunction
Sentence appropriately.
Stoges of worldly experience' in the given
about kiling his own parents or his children;
he was always out tocause and spread unrest
(ontext would refer to and violence among innocent and ignorant
good education to gain knowledge people. Such notions, which prevailed time
smart
I) situations
smaller, notthatso important rolesin acting
require one to be street everywhere else in South India at that
di also, naturally, floated about vaguely among

Seleircatinthineg suitable word from

in soft skills the khadi-clad poetsof GeminiStudios.
thë extract to Evidence of it was soon forthcoming.
CBSE Question Bank 2021
tSealornpled:ete cltheosed ::following analogy.
propelled:
 Allinone ENGLISH CORE
266
"He couldn't have addressed a
same figure oj and silent audiencee-no
() Pick the option that uses the godless one knew
speech as 'A communist is a man. was talking about and his accent wh
when it is a attempt to understand what he
to here? was et ataje
Gandhi
(a) She is as determinedas
fight against injustice.
her voice ) Who is 'he'referred
Vassan
(b) She is a Gandhi when she raises (a) The boss Mr.
against hinsa or violence.
carth is crying (b) Stephen Spender, anSubbu
English poet
(C) She, like Gandhi, fecls that the (c) Mr.Kothamanglam
for deliverance. (d) The Legal Advisor
hersell a
(d) She lives alife of opulence and calls audience silent
() Why wasthe and
follower of Gandhi.
(ii) Based on the extract choose the correct
option
w.
(a) Speaker's accent was unfamilia
(b) His topic of speech was not perplexe
understood h
with reference to the two statements given belo audience
Statement 1 At Gemini Studios; the pöets (C) His voice was very faint
(d) Both (a) and (b)
had a profound knowledge about Communists.
Statement 2 Communists were responsible (i) The word stupefied' can also mean
(a) silent (b)dazed
töt anarchy and discontent in the country.
is false.
(c) disoriented (d) None of these
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement
is true. (ivy) What was the topic of VSitor's speechT
(b) Statement lis false but Statement 2 (a) English as second language in India
cannot be
(c) Both Statement 1and Statement 2
inferred. (b) Problems with democracy
be (c) Problems with commnunism
(d) Both Statement l and Statement 2 can
inferred. (d) Monarchy and its problem
(ii) Why do you think leisure is a pre-requisite for () If the audience is not able to understandd
anyfti
why was he' called to the Gemini Studos
poetry?
(a) Poetry means freedomn of expression. (vi) No one knew what he was talking aboue. th
(b) One can enjoy poetry when there is free time. you think if the people understood the ocer
(c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time. of the speaker, they would have recognisedo
(d) Poetry means freedom from work. topic of discussion?
(iv) Asokamitran says that leisure is a pre-requisite Ans (i) (b) Stephen Spender, an English poet
for poetry. Why? (ii) (d) Both (a) and (b)
() The people at the Gemini Studios has not the (iii) (b) dazed
faintest appreciation for political thought. Why (iv) (c) Problenmswith communism
does the narrator say so? (v) He/ Stephen Spender was called to the
Gemini Studios because of their boss's
(vi) What Evidence is being talked about in the inclination towards erudite and literary peop
extract?
Ans (i) (b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her
yoice (vi) No, I do not think that the people at Gem
against hinsa or violence. Studios would understand the topic of
discussion even if the accent of the speakd
(ii) (d) Both Statement land Statement 2 can be
inferred. was clear because, we as reader are awatt
(iii) (c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time. that they only had a superficial ideahadof no
Communism. Other than that they
(iv) He says this because poets are creative and political ideology of their own.
need to have free time to weave their thoughts.
(v) The narrator says so because he knows that QUESTION
the people at the GeminiStudios only SHORT ANSWER TYPE
believed what has been popular at the time. actintM
They did not have their own political thought. 1 Through the mention of RobertCCliive'specdta
s
the
(vi) The evidence talked of in the extract refers to how doesthe narrator bring Out
the coming of Frank Buchman's Moral of those in power? studios
Re-Armament army, a kind of counter Ans The make-up department of Gemini:
havebeen
argument to Communism to the Gemini in abuilding that was believed to whichwa
Studios. Robert Clive's stable. So, the place
inafilm
good to become a make-up room
relsandPancakes 267

studio had becn misused by the

spectacleof the Britishersshas Britishers. The 7What made the lawyer lose his job? What was
also been brought
oul when the author mentions that Robert Clive funny about it?
uscdto0oWn several| buildings.
Or What made the lawyer lose his job? What does
2Describe the make-up room of the Gemini the writer find so funny about the situation?
Studios as described by the author. Delhi 2012
Ans The make-up room of the Gemini Studios Ans The closing down of the Story Department by
laked like a hair cutting salon with the Boss made the lawyer lose his job. The
ncandescent lights. The lights, placed at writer found this situation funny because he
allangles around half a dozen mirrors, made the thought that this was perhaps theonly instance
roomvery hot. It was so hot there that the in all human history where a lawyer lost his job
people whose make-up was done there were because the poets were asked to go home.
subjected to a fiery misery'. 8 What was the opinion of the khadi clad poets of
3A strict hierarchy was maintained in the Gemini Studios about Communism?
moke-up department. Explain this statement. Ans The khadi cad poets of Gemini Studios were
Ans StriCt hierarchy was maintained in the make-up against Communism as that was the prevailing
department so that each make-up man was political notion in South India. A Communist to
them was a godless man, had no filial or
allotted his task according to his designation. conjugal love, could unhesitatingly kill his
The chief make-up man attended the chief parents or children and was always out to cause
actors and actresses, his senior assistant and spread violence and unrest.
attended the second hero and heroine, the
junior assistant attended the main comedian 9 Why did Stephen Spender visit Gemini Studios?
and the office boy in the department did the Ans Stephen Spender was an
anti-Communist,
similar to the people at Gemini Studios. He had
make up of the actors who played the crowd.
been invited by the Boss to talk about his
4 Why did the office boy often come to the journey into Communism and his return after
quthor? Why did the author then start praying being disillusioned with Communism.
for crowd shooting? 10 What role did the canteen play at the Gemini
Ans As the author was wrongly believed to have no studios?
work to do, the office boy often came to his Ans The canteen at the Gemini studios played the
cubicle to give went to his frustration and impress role of giving leisure and entertainment to the
upon him that the office boy's great talent employees as it supplied good coffee at alltimes
remained untapped and was being wasted. of the day and for most part of the night. As
As the author was bored with the office boy's Prohibition had been imposed by the
never ending tirade, he prayed for a crowd government in Madras, meeting over a cup of
shooting sothat the boywould be busy in doing coffee was rather a satisfying entertainment.
the make-up of the crowd and would not pester 11 What shows that the Boss knew very little about
him. the poet who was visiting Gemini Studios?
5What advantage did the office boy think Subbu Ans It was obvious that the Boss knew very little
had? about the poet who was visiting Gemini studios
Ans The office boy thought that Subbu was in no because the Boss' speech was vague, although it
was peppered with words such as 'freedom and
Way superior to him in talent or education. It
Was due to Subbu's birth in a Brahmin family 'democracy'.
that he had got a lead over him and helped him 12 The Boss of Gemini Studios had nothing to do
get better openings, opportunities and exposure. with Spender's poetry but not with his 'God that PRACTIC
EXAM
Ihus, he had an advantage over the office boy. failed. Bring out the significance of this line.
Ans This line is significant as the Boss had only
Subbu Was charitable and improvident, yet he
had enemies, Why? invited Stephen Spender to Gemini Studios
Ans because hewas a contributing author to the
Subbu'sto good
desire
qualities were overlooked as his
please the boss who was, the key t0 his
book TheGod that failed' which presented the
failures of Communism.
Success. This made him seem like a sycophant. He himself did not have any knowledge of
ilS non- critical attitude was misconstrued as
CIeverness. So, he had enemies such as the Spender's background and so spoke about
Spender only in general terms while
office boy, all of whom blamned him for their introducing him to the employees of the
failure in life. Studios.
 Allnone ENGLISH CORE
268 is used throughout the
text to give calmness
ass 12h
Asokamitran's style of writing mindto the reader. oi the
13 What kind of effectdoes CBSE Question Bank 2021 Gemini studios
2 The office boy' inupthe
have on the reader?
Ans Asokamitran satirical style of writing has an
underlying tone of humour wvhich
highlights thc
inabilityto rise
the strict hierarchy
the
followed attribSubbuutes hiands
ladder in work to
in the film

Hard Company
cvents and the the
SS Vasan. However strict hierarchy,
description of the our of
human foibles. The
k",Acthoneiontsty
makes the reader than words
pcople at the Gemini Studio peoplc prescnt not speak more
and sincerity of purpose should be the wormantra
should
identify the common foibles in life.
just in the story but also in real success. Explain this.
of the make-up room in the there is no shortcut to
14 Discuss the significance Ans It is agreed that
chapter, Poets and Pancakes'? Question Bank 2021
sincerity
hard work, honesty andHowever, of purpose Only success.
instead
blamiShoulng d
CBSE key our
be the for success.
to misfortunes, as the of
others office boy was
Gemini studio is the
Ans The make-up room of theIt is the setting which takes doing, we should facc challenges head on.
central crux of the story. find solutions to our problems
the people in life and should try to
us towards the superficiality of people in the make-up
of thepcople in the studio. The
popular much like people
of evading
story
themn or brooding Over our
'Poets and Pancakes', the office boy was r failures.instIneadthe
studio only accept what is find out how to
ready toaccept his flaws or
in reality who accept popular things blindly. Overcome hurdles in his path to success. Heck
will always find
15 "Inall instances of frustration, you person openly have had passion for his job, whatever it may he
to k
the anger directed to wards a single Work should be worship and we should not
deterred by division of labour.
or covertly..". determinat
anger towards Instead, we must have the tenacity and
Do you think it is right to direct our the cause of to prove oneself, just as Subbu
has achieved oVer the
someone who is not responsible for required for
years. He has developed the qualities
risen to the position of N
anger? Justify. Success due to which he has
to direct our anger
Ans No, I feel that it is not justified
responsible for the 2 at Gemini Studios, over the
years.
towards someone who is not
the person who does so Integration in the
cause of anger. It shows that
his/her failures. Such a 3 There was a great deal of National being
needs someone to blame for and undetermined. Gemini studios with the make-up department
individual comes, out as rain India in sucession
headed bypeople from all parts ofidealistic situation
The need of the hour in India is an
G LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS where people are moretolerant towards
each other to
had dreamt
of life. Variety is the realise the dreams our founding fathers
1 Humour enlivens the drudgery account of events and of at the time of Independence. What
role could the
spice of life and the varied studios serves to make Youthof India play in this regard?
personalities in the Genmini important role in this
add tothe humour Ans The Youth of India can play an
the reading interesting and also become secular in
quotient in one's life. Taking the cue from the lesson, regard. For this, they need to pursuing
can be achieved people
how calmness of
discuss the mind spirit and more tolerant towards
/humour. other religions or faiths.
through light-hearted banter religious
Ans 'Laughter is the best medicine' is a well-known They should be more spiritual thannot blindly follow the
conversation endears a meaning that they should just
saying. Thus, humour in aperson is able to strike up also
person to others so that the rituals of the religion they profess but the rituals. Ii
at oneself also helps in understand the principles underlying
a conversation. Laughing It promotes the Youth of India work together in social causes by
controlling stress and relieving tension. minds, they can
friendship and makes usmind.less
impulsive, thus rising above the pettiness of their
that our founding
achieving calmnness of the succeed in building the nation Independence.
Poets and Pancakes' fathers had dreamt of at the time of
This is illustrated in the lesson For instance. to become moe
narrator. All the Youth must be literate so as
at various places by the tolerant and understanding. They can promote
ue
applying make-up on the actors is described as play
street should
ugly so
"Slapping make-up to make the actors lookstatement values of compassion and love through
this, schools
screen". The music and dance (fine arts). For
that they look presentableon patriotism n
present is satire at its best as the word 'ugly' is used promote national integration and
mean 'good. developing life skills.
in a humorous manner to is
Characters of the office boy, Subbu and the legal Then only will we produce the India that at Gemini
adviser have many subtle touches of humour. The personified by the make-up departmentfrom all parts
staff of Gemini studios to Studios whose successiveheads were
baffled reaction of the
Stephen Spender's visit and his incomprehensible of the country.
banter
speech arouses humour. Similar light-hearted