Dear Students of class 12 If you are looking for Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers by Asokamitran, Here you can meet your each and every query related this chapter, This post is made considering the syllabus and exam patterns of NCERT, CBSE and RBSE boards. iIn the below TABLE OF CONTENTS each and every heading is given just click on the any of the headings you want to read and it will reach you the particular topic.
Table of Contents
Introduction The lesson “Poets and Pancakes”
The lesson “Poets and Pancakes” deals with famous personalities at Gemini Studios, a film company in the early years of Indian cinema. It is an account of events that point out the trivial and petty differences or skirmishes that took place between different characters. The lesson basically centers around the art of make-up, which was layered and layered in pancakes and some poets who happened to visit Gemini Studios. The writer is a Tamilian, so the simplicity of that kind of audience is also brought about. Asokamitan had spent some fruitful years with the owner of Gemini Studios Mr. SS Vasan so he recounts some interesting incidents that happened during his tenure.
Summary of the Chapter
If any of the students want to read the summary of this chapter can visit the button given below
.
Theme of This Chapter
Poets and Pancakes Theme Class 12 with its Hindi meaning, students should learn the theme of this chapter with a view to attempting the questions asked on the theme, in NCERT, CBSE, and RBSE boards usually ask the theme of the particular chapters, students need to learn the theme as well…
.
Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers
THINK AS YOU READ
Q.1 What does the writer mean by the ‘fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Ans. There were incandescent lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. So the actors had to bear the intense heat generated by these lights. The writer calls it ‘fiery misery.’
Q.2 What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Ans. The make-up department consisted of persons from different states of India. The head of the department was Bengali. Later a Maharashtrian took his place. His assistants were a Dharwar, Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, An Anglo Burmese, and a local. Tamil. There all show a national integration.
Q. 3 What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Ans. In Gemini Studios, the work of the Office Boy was to mix his paint in a great/giant vessel and slap it on the crowd players during crowd shooting.
He joined the studios in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screenwriter, director, and lyric writer.
He was disappointed because he could not become what he hoped to be. He was convinced that all his woes, ignominy, and neglect were due to Kothamanglam Subbu.
Q. 4 Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. The author had to collect important cutting from the newspaper. So he appeared to be doing nothing, at the studios, except tearing newspaper.
Q.5 Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Ans. The office boy was frustrated because he thought that he was assigned a task that was fit only for barbers and perverts in the studies. He was neglected due to Kothamangalam Subbu. He showed his anger at Subbu.
Q.6 Who was Subbu’s principal? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. Subbu’s principal was S.S. Vasan, the founder, and boss of Gemini Studios. Subbu enjoyed a very close relationship with him due to his loyalty and the assistance he provided to his boss. He was known to be a sycophant.
Q.7 Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Ans. (1) Subbu was tailor-made for films. He could suggest ten different ways of picturising the same scene. He was very creative and original.
(2) He was a versatile writer who had written novels, poets in folk refrain, screenplays and even lyrics.
(3) He was an amazing actor, though he never played any lead roles. He could eclipse even the lead player with his acting prowess.
(4) He was helpful and friendly. His house was always full of friends and acquaintances
Q.8 Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. The legal adviser was referred to as the opposite by others because of his manner and actions. His uniform was different from the others. He wore pants and a tie and sometimes a coat. He looked alone and helpless and a man of cold logic.
Q.9 What made the lawyer stand out from others at Gemini Studios?
Ans. The lawyer stood out physically and mentally. While others wore khadi dhoti with white khadi shirts, he wore trousers and a coat. He was a man of cold logic amidst a crowd of dreamers and a neutral man among the followers of Gandhiji.
Q.10 Did the people at Genuine Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Ans. Most of the people at Gemini Studios were followers of Gandhiji and were Khadi. Beyond wearing Khadi, they did not have any particular political affiliations. However, they were all against communism.
Q.11 Why was the Moral Rearmament Army (MRA) welcomed at the studies?
Ans. The MRA was a kind of counter-movement to International Communion. The people in those days were averse to the term ‘communism” the studio employee did not like communism. That is why MRA was welcomed at the studio.
Q 12. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Ans. The Englishman was a total stranger at Gemini Studios. The audience was dazed as they could not understand his English accent and the visitor also could hardly follow the vague speeches which were made to welcome him.
Q.13 Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
Ans. The visit of the English poet remained a flop because the people of the Gemini Studio were simple Tamilians who couldn’t understand any English, leaving aside English poetry. So they could not understand the purpose of the poet’s visit nor did the poet understand the reason for inviting him. No one even knew his name or whether he was a poet or an editor.
Q.14 How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?
Ans. When the author visited the British Council library, he found copies of a British periodical “The Encounter”. He read the editor’s name, saw the photograph and realized that he was the same poet who had visited Gemini Studios – Stephen Spender.
Q.15. What does The God that Failed refer to? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. It refers to a book, which contained six essays, written by six famous writers, out of which, one happened to be Stephen Spender. The essays related to communist ideology which turned out to be a failure in the modern world.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Q.1. The author has used gentle humor to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
Ans. The entire lesson has a generous scattering of humour that is subtle and harmless. It is mainly directed toward the characters and lays bare their strange qualities and habits. The humour is never caustic or hurting, so it makes the lesson interesting.
The visual image of make-up being brought in “truck-loads” is quite funny. Gemini Studios, an important studio during those times being located in “Robert Clive’s stables” is quite surprising. Robert Clive’s achievements are mocked at because the only memorable fact remains about him was “marrying a maiden”. The way make-up was mixed in a big cauldron and applied on the faces of the actors makes one feel as if a wall is being painted. The office boy is 40 years old and the poor author has to face criticism.
Subbu’s versatility becomes the cause of laughter. It is subtly pointed out that he had “always worked for somebody and his “virtue of being a Brahmin” is ridiculed. Subbu is the favourite target for poking fun and humour. “Subbu’s general demeanour resembled a sycophant’s.” Even the scenes in movies were very funny and unrealistic like “The rat fights the tigress underwater and kills her and then tends the cubs lovingly.” The lawyer was the “illegal” advisor. The weakness of the Boss to remain in the company of scholars creates amusing situations. But the funniest and the most incongruous event was the speech of Stephen Spender in front of a Tamil audience, which end up confusing everyone.
So the humour is gentle, subtle and brings out interesting aspects of the characters, which makes the lesson light-hearted and interesting.
Q.2 Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Ans. Kothamangalam Subbu was considered No.2 in Gemini Studios because of his creativity and loyalty to the boss. He was a talented person. He was next to his boss. He was tailor-made for films. Film making was very easy with an amazing acter man like Subbu. He played his role better than the supposed main players. He gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years. He had a separate identity as a poet and also wrote a sprawling novel. He was a kind and charitable person. His house was a permanent residence of near and far relations and acquaintances.
Q.3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Ans. The enthusiasm and curiosity shown by the Gemini family on Stephen Spencer’s expected visit yields a lot of amusement for the readers. The interaction was baffling not only for the Tamil audience but also for the English poet. The speeches were marked with incongruity and his accent was so indistinct that the audience did not understand even a word of his speech. The visitor also found himself to be a complete misfit in the midst of the Gemini family. Neither the guest nor the hosts knew why they were going through that ordeal. The whole drama continued for an hour.
After the poet left, the people dispersed in utter confusion. The poet was baffled too. Quite interestingly, his visit remained a mystery for years to come.
Poets and Pancakes Extra Questions
Q.1 What could be the reason for the shut of the story department? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. The story department was composed of many poets and writers and also a lawyer with them. But later, it was closed. The possible reason for the shutting down of the story department may be its uselessness or unbearable expenses or regular salary of the members and less output in return.
Q. 2 What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Ans– People at the Gemini Studios were totally unknown of the strange accent of the Englishman and couldn’t understand his wordings. So this was the cause of the lack of communication.
Q.3 Why was Subbu disliked by most despite being creative and talented?
Ans. Subbu was disliked because he was always with the boss. His closeness with the boss was viewed with envy. His demeanour resembled a sycophant’s and he was always eager to say nice things.
Q.4 Why was Gemini Studios the favourite haunt of poets? (Poets and Pancakes Questions and Answers)
Ans. Gemini Studios was the favourite haunt of poets because it had an excellent mess that supplied good coffee which could be enjoyed in an atmosphere of leisure and the company of artists.
Q.5 How could a decent-looking actor turn into a “hideous crimson-hued monster”?
Ans. So much make-up was plastered on the faces of the artists that they looked like red-faced animals. Good-looking people were made to look ugly so that they could look good on screen. Such make-up looked ugly in real life but on the screen, it looked good.
Q.6. What was the privilege enjoyed by the senior make-up people?
Ans. A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department. The senior make-up man only did the make-up of the lead actors and actresses and the rest was done by junior people.
Q.7 Why was the author ridiculed by the Gemini staff?
Ans. The author was a budding journalist who kept a record of newspaper articles. The people at Gemini Studios had no idea about this kind of profession or other things related to it. So they felt that he was worthless and wasted time needlessly.
Q.8. What kinds of plays were presented by the MRA?
Ans. The plays presented were simple and plain with simple morals. The content and theme were ordinary but the costumes and the sets were first-rate. Their sunset and sunrise scenes were especially liked by the people.
Q.9 Why was life tough for a prose writer? What were the difficulties faced by the author?
Ans. A prose writer had to be very relentless, patient and persevering. Most of the time their articles were rejected and one has to control one’s emotions to see so many rejection slips. The writer faced a similar fate and the publishers did not even bother to return the manuscript unless a postage stamp was sent along with it.