Poets And Pancakes- 3 - Free MCQ Practice Test with solutions, Class 12

The Gemini Studios was set up in 1940 in Madras (Chennai) by Mr. S.S. Vasan, the Boss. It was one of the most influential film producing organisations of India in the early history of Indian film making.

At the Gemini Studios, the author Asokamitran worked in a cubicle having the French windows on two sides. He was to take up the clippings from the newspapers on a wide variety of subjects. He was to store them in files. He even had to write out in hand.

Mr. S. S Vasan, a businessman of many ventures (including the ownership of Ananda Vikatan) bought Motion Picture Producers' Combines from Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam and renamed it. The studio re-opened under the name Gemini.

The Englishman's visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as an unexplained mystery because no one could decipher his identity, whether he was a poet or an editor. Besides, when he spoke no one at the studio understood what he intended to say as his accent was beyond their comprehension.

He entered the studios to become a star actor, or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was to do the make-up work for the crowd. He was disappointed that his talent was being wasted. The visit of the poet or the editor remained as an “unexplained mystery.”

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.

The make-up division of Gemini Studios was an example of national integration. According to the author, this is so because people from different regions and religious groups worked together in the same department. The department was headed by a Bengali who was succeeded by a Maharashtrian.

The office boy had come to work in the Gemini Studios in the hope of becoming a star or a renowned screenwriter, 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.

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 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.

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’.

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 Dharwad, 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.

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.

The heat produced by the Lights in the make-up room brought about a lot of discomfort to the actors in the make-up room. Hence the writer refers to this pain and trouble as 'fiery misery'.