Poets and Pancakes Introduction
The Gemini Studios of Madras was one of India's pioneering and prominent film-producing organizations of India. This prominent institute was established in the 1940s. This institute was founded by one of the most intelligent and talented S.S. Vasan and has a staff of 600 people. Here, we are going to learn about the author's view of this studio and the film industry in Poets and Pancakes summary. The Pancake was a make-up brand used by Gemini Studios. Sahitya Academy award-winning Tamil writer Ashokamitran worked for the Gemini Studios from 1952 to 1966.
The chapter Poet and Pancakes was taken from “My Years with Boss” written by Asokamitran. Through this story, Asokamitran talks about many notions about the film industry, particularly in India.
Summary of Poets and Pancakes
The story “Poets and Pancakes” is a passage from Asokamitran’s book “My Years with Boss”. Asokamitran talks about his days at the Gemini Studio. The Gemini Studio produced many films, which impacted the aspect of Indian life. Here, Asokamitran talks about a trendy make-up brand named Pancake. This material was bought and used in the studio. He also names the few actresses who used the brand. The Gemini studios used the pancake brand excessively and ordered truckloads of their commodities.
He talks about the office boy whose task was to slap paint onto the faces of the players at the time of crowd-shooting. He states that the office boy once yearned to be a director, actor, screenwriter, or lyricist. However, he blamed his disgrace on Subbu.
In those days, the author worked inside a cubicle and had the job of gathering newspaper cuttings which, according to others, was unimportant. Thus, the office boy would come to bother him with his complaints. The office boy was probably jealous of Subbu’s growth. Subbu was very close to his boss. When the boss had any problem in doing a scene in a film, Subbus could recommend several practical ideas. As Subbu was Brahmin, the author thought he had the upper hand. Though Subbu was always beside his boss, he was also a member of the story department. Besides poets and writers in the story department, there existed a lawyer too. Formally he was known as a legal adviser. However, people called him the opposite of it. Once the legal adviser unconsciously destroyed the career of a talented actress.
In the story of Poet and Pancakes, the narrator talks about another guest who visited Gemini Studio. He was an Englishman. Some thought him to be a poet or an editor. The Boss, Mr. Vasan, greeted the Englishman. He read out a long speech expressing freedom and democracy. Then the Englishman conversed. His accent baffled everyone. They could not understand the purpose of his visit, and it remained a mystery.
Years later, when the writer left the Gemini studios, he did not have much money but had much free time. So, discounted goods on sale interested him. Once the writer came across a book that had six essays written by six famous men who wrote about communalism. The authors of the book were Richard Wright, Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender. As the writer read Stephen’s name, it reminded him of the days when Spenders visited Gemini Studios.
Finally, in the poets and pancakes summary, we can see the notions of the film industry, particularly in India.
Talking about Indian cinema, we receive a lot of films every year but the success of a movie solely depends upon the other people working backstage. If these people are not there, then it is not even possible for us to have good films. India has films in multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kennedy, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, and so on. The Indian film industry is a global enterprise. Indian movies are famous all around the world and people love to watch them.
Poets and Pancakes Summary in Points
Asokamitran’s Experience: The story is based on Asokamitran’s time working at Gemini Studios in Madras.
Gemini Studios: This was a major film studio in India, founded by S.S. Vasan, producing many important films.
Pancake Makeup: The studio used a popular make-up brand, Pancake, for the actors, which was ordered in truckloads.
Office Boy’s Dreams: The office boy at the studio once dreamt of being a director, actor, or screenwriter, but blamed his failure on Subbu.
Subbu’s Role: Subbu was a key member of the studio, close to the boss, and known for his practical suggestions.
Story Department: The story department had poets, writers, and a legal adviser, who, despite his title, was not very helpful.
Legal Adviser’s Mistake: The legal adviser once ruined the career of a talented actress by making an unfortunate decision.
English Visitor: An Englishman visited the studio and gave a confusing speech about freedom and democracy, leaving everyone puzzled.
Author’s Later Life: After leaving the studio, the author found a book on communalism, which reminded him of the English poet’s visit.
Behind-the-Scenes Importance: The essay reflects on the importance of the people behind the scenes in the film industry, without whom movies wouldn't be successful.
Poets and Pancakes Short Summary
Poets and Pancakes is about Asokamitran's time working at Gemini Studios in Madras, one of India's biggest film studios. He talks about how the studio used a makeup brand called "Pancake" to make actors and actresses look perfect on screen.
Asokamitran also tells the story of an office boy who wanted to become a director or actor but blamed his failure on Subbu, a person who was close to the boss and had a lot of influence at the studio.
The author worked in the story department, which had poets and writers. There was also a legal adviser who once made a mistake that hurt an actress's career.
There’s a funny part where an Englishman visited the studio and gave a speech about freedom. However, no one could understand him, and the reason for his visit remained a mystery.
The main message of the story is that making a film takes the effort of many people, not just the actors. People like makeup artists, cameramen, and directors all play important roles in making a successful film.
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Conclusion
"Poets and Pancakes" is a celebration. It celebrates the power of imagination, the transformative magic of art, and the enduring spirit of human creativity. It reminds us that even in the most ordinary jobs, there's a spark of wonder waiting to be discovered. And just like a plate of fluffy pancakes, it leaves us feeling warm, satisfied, and with a lingering taste of the sweet, bittersweet poetry of life.
So, the next time you watch a film, remember the poets who gave it its story, the make-up artists who brought it to life, and the countless others who poured their hearts and souls into creating that magical experience on screen. Remember that behind every glittering frame lies a world of passion, dedication, and the unwavering belief in the power of dreams, a world where poets and pancakes come together to weave the magic of cinema.
FAQs on Poets and Pancakes Summary: A Story by Vikram Seth
1. Discuss the Humour and Satire of Asokamitran in the Chapter “Poets and Pancakes”?
In the chapter, “Poets and Pancakes”, Asokamitran uses subtle humor and satire to highlight human characteristics. Frivolous professional differences not only grasp our minds but also bring out a subtle witticism that is spontaneous without being redundant. The characterization of the office boy, Subbu and the legal advisor, had detailed impressions of humor. Asokamitran’s spontaneous style of talking changes thoughts quickly. For example, he makes fun of the make-up applied to artists which changes any decent-looking person into a monster. Such references entreat laughter. The author’s tone of parody is a scantiest trace of a joke, which is most praiseworthy.
2. What are the reasons to describe Subbu as a versatile genius? Present a reasoned statement.
The author Asokamitran depicts the character of Kothamangalam Subbu as ridicule who is not talented but manages to build an emanation of talent around themselves. In the department of Gemini Studios, he was always with the boss. Subbu directs all his powers and creativity to his boss’s approval. He probes into the various fields of film-making successfully proffering the impression of being a talented actor, a brilliant story-writer, and a man who is forever ready with any solutions for any query. He presents the art of film-making that seems easy for his boss. Thus Subbu with his tricky nature takes advantage of his boss’ gullibility and passes himself off as a versatile genius.
3. How was the Moral Re-Armament Army greeted at the Gemini Studios?
The Moral Re-Armament Army of Frank Buchman visited Madras in 1952 with a group of two hundred people belonging to twenty nationalities. The MRA was witnessed to be a counter-movement to international communism, though the people at Gemini Studios did not think deeply about communist and communism. However, Mr. Vasan, the boss of Gemini Studios, was fascinated by the MRA, and so they were warmly welcomed. The MRA performed two plays “The Forgotten Facto” and “Jotham Valley’’ in the most professional manner. People of the Gemini Studios saw the plays several times. The plays of MRA conveyed simple messages, but their sets and costumes were ‘preeminent’. They impressed both the Gemini studios and the Tamil drama society. The sunset and sunrise scenes of “Jotham Valley” were played for many years.
4. What is the significance of using the title "Poets and Pancakes"?
Poets and Pancakes is a relevant title for this summary. Poets here refers to the scriptwriters at the studio without whom it is not even possible to have a story to the film. The scriptwriters are going to provide the script or story for the film that is designed. When we talk about Pancakes, it refers to the makeup brand that is used by most actors. Here, the writer explains the notion that the film industry cannot work especially without these two things that are makeup and scriptwriters. Although the actors are applied with so much makeup that their face is changed, it is still necessary for films.
5. What was Pancake? Why was it used in the Gemini studios?
Pancakes refer to the popular brand of makeup material. Truckloads of the makeup of this brand were bought at Gemini studio in Madras. This makeup brand was used by most of the actors and actresses to change their looks. This brand was most preferred by the actors and actresses of that time. The writer doesn't like it. As we have found him saying in the story that this makeup can turn a very decent-looking person into a dangerous-looking monster.
6. Why was the office boy frustrated and to whom did he show his anger?
The office boy was frustrated because he was having a good formal education and besides this, he was having poetry writing skills also but being there he felt that his skills were being wasted. Besides having this much talent and education, he was still a normal office boy and couldn't rise from his position. He showed his anger and frustration on Kothamangalam Subbu, to the author as he thought that he is the only one who is free and did not have much work to do.
7. What does the office boy symbolize in "Poets and Pancakes"?
The office boy symbolizes the frustration and unfulfilled potential of many individuals in the film industry. Despite his education and talents, he is stuck in a low position, reflecting the gap between people's skills and their roles in a hierarchical system. His frustration shows how talent is sometimes overlooked or not given the opportunity to grow.
8. What role does Subbu play in the power dynamics at Gemini Studios?
Subbu plays a key role in the power structure of Gemini Studios. He is always close to the boss, using his charm and quick-thinking to manipulate situations in his favour. Subbu appears to be a multi-talented genius, though he often relies on his ability to convince others rather than his actual talent, making him a master of self-promotion in the studio.
9. What does the presence of the Moral Re-Armament Army (MRA) tell us about the cultural atmosphere at Gemini Studios?
The MRA's visit to Gemini Studios in 1952 shows the openness of the studio to diverse cultural influences. Although the studio's staff did not deeply engage with the political aspects of the MRA's mission, they appreciated the professionalism of their performances. This reflects the studio's welcoming atmosphere toward different ideas and international influences.
10. What does Asokamitran’s narrative style add to the story in "Poets and Pancakes"?
Asokamitran's narrative style is both humorous and insightful, using satire to reveal the complexities of the film industry. His conversational tone allows the reader to connect with the story while also offering deeper reflections on the human dynamics at play behind the scenes in cinema. His style adds a layer of wit and irony that enhances the overall impact of the story.
11. Where can I find the poets and pancakes detailed summary?
You can find poets and pancakes detailed summary on the Vedantu Website.
