Poets And Pancakes Class 12 English Flamingo

Key Points of the Story 

• Poets and Pancakes, written by Tamil writer Asokamitran, is an account of his days in service at Gemini Studios in Chennai.
• Set up in 1940, it was one of the most influential film-producing organisations in India at that time.
• The job of the writer was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide range of topics and save those in files.
• Although his job was considered quite insignificant, he was well-informed about everything and everyone at Gemini Studios.
• Poets and Pancakes gives the reader a comprehensive description of various characters at the studios.
• It talks about people’s dreams, aspirations, failures, virtues and vices – making it a perfect study of human behaviour and characters in the midst of the film-producing world of India, in the twentieth century.
• He also talks about his struggle as a writer during his tenure at Gemini Studios.
• Poets and Pancakes Summary gives us an insight into the author’s perspective of the world and society around him in the 1900s.
• People’s actions and reactions at Gemini Studios indicate the presence of a simple mindset and blissful ignorance of deep political matters at that time.

Detailed Summary 

The narrative "Poets and Pancakes" extracted from Asokamitran's memoir "My Years with Boss" provides a glimpse into his experiences at Gemini Studio, a prominent film production company in India. Asokamitran reflects on the significant influence of the studio's productions on Indian society and culture, shedding light on various facets of life within the studio walls.

One prominent aspect of the studio's operations that Asokamitran discusses is the widespread use of Pancake, a trendy makeup brand, by actresses. This brand became synonymous with the studio's film productions, with truckloads of the product being ordered to meet the demands of the industry.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the studio, Asokamitran introduces readers to an office boy tasked with applying makeup during crowd scenes. This boy harbors ambitions of becoming a filmmaker but feels hindered by a colleague named Subbu. Subbu's close association with the boss and his ability to provide practical solutions during film shoots make him a significant figure within the studio, much to the envy of the office boy.

Asokamitran himself occupies a cubicle within the studio, tasked with gathering newspaper cuttings—a seemingly unimportant job according to others. However, this role brings him into contact with the office boy, who often vents his frustrations about Subbu's perceived favoritism and success. Subbu's Brahmin background further complicates matters, as Asokamitran observes a sense of privilege associated with his position.

The narrative also introduces a lawyer within the story department, ironically referred to as a legal adviser despite his reputation for mishaps. One such incident involving the inadvertent destruction of a talented actress's career highlights the unpredictable nature of the studio environment.

The story takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of an English guest at Gemini Studio, whose purpose remains shrouded in mystery. Despite the warm reception by the studio boss, Mr. Vasan, the guest's cryptic accent and enigmatic demeanor leave the staff baffled, unable to discern the purpose of his visit.

Years later, as Asokamitran reflects on his time at Gemini Studios, he recalls encounters with discounted books, including essays on communalism authored by renowned writers such as Richard Wright, Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender. The mention of Spender triggers memories of his visit to Gemini Studios, underscoring the studio's cultural significance and its interactions with literary figures.

In summary, "Poets and Pancakes" provides a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the Indian film industry through the lens of Gemini Studios. It highlights the complex dynamics, aspirations, and interactions that shape the studio environment, ultimately contributing to the larger cultural landscape of Indian cinema.

Conclusion 

Poets and Pancakes Summary shows us the world of film-making in earlier times in India. It talks about the presence of an inclusive workforce that brought people together at Gemini Studios from all over the country. The hierarchy and relation between the colleagues portrayed are not different from the present-day workplace dynamics of any place. It shows a constant universal human psychology involved in work environments. The thoughts and behaviours exhibited by employees in a workplace are easily relatable to the ones shown in the chapter. The political ignorance exhibited by the employees at Gemini Studios is still a dominating feature of any country. The next relatable thing is the writer’s struggle for fame and recognition as a writer. The creative artist always has to struggle before he gets to taste his success, and every small connection to some renowned element of the field feels like a happy jolt. The author was excited to find out that he had seen Stephen Spender in real life – the editor and writer of two literary works he had known about.

Difficult Words

Word - Meaning

• Upstairs - higher floor, above ground
• Building - edifice, structure
• Robert Clive - British officer, colonial leader
• Stables - horse shelters, equine housing
• Dozen - twelve, set of twelve
• Residence - home, dwelling
• Misery - distress, suffering
• Integration - unity, amalgamation
• Crimson - deep red, vivid red
• Actors - performers, artists
• Assistant - helper, aide
• Comedian - humorist, entertainer
• Crowd - multitude, assembly
• Vessel - container, pot
• Slapping - hitting, striking
• Pore - tiny opening, hole
• Director - filmmaker, movie maker
• Poet - writer, verse maker
• Cubicle - small room, enclosure
• Occupation - job, work
• Lecture - talk, speech
• Frustration - disappointment, dissatisfaction
• Anger - rage, irritation
• Woes - troubles, sorrows