Lesson 6
Poets and Pancakes
I. Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. What does the writer mean by the ‘fiery misery’ of those subjected to make up?
Ans. By this, the writer means that the artists who were subjected to make up had to bear the intense heat of the incandescent lights of the make up room of Gemini studios.
Q.2. Why was the office boy frustrated ? Who did he show his anger on ?
Ans. The office boy had joined the studios years back in the hope of becoming a star. He was educated and felt that his talent is being wasted, working in a department that was suitable only for barbers. He showed his anger on Subbu, the star of those days.
Q. 3. Subbu is described as a many sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Ans. Subbu was a versatile actor, His four main abilities were :
- He could solve any of the problems.
- He was tailor-made for films..
- He was always cheerful.
- He was a poet.
Q.4. Name one example to show that Gemini studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Ans. Gemini studios was completely influenced by the sunrise and sunset scenes presented by MRA in their plays. These scenes were adopted by Gemini studios on a stage with white background and a tune played on the flute.
Q.5. What does ‘The God That Failed refer to ?
Ans. “The God That Failed” refers to a collection of six essays by six eminent men of letters. They have described their journey to enter into the communism and their disillusioned return.
II. Long Answer Type Questions
Q. 1. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery ?
Ans. The Englishman came to Gemini studios after MRA. He was given a warm welcome. His visit is referred as unexplained mystery because no one could understand the accent and purpose of his visit as Gemini studios made Tamil films for simple people. People had no taste for English poetry.
Q. 2. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Ans. When the author was out of the Gemini studios, he wanted money and he was interested in a contest organised by the British periodical, The Encounter. He wanted to know about the periodical so he went to British council library where he saw the prints of ‘The Encounter. He saw the editor’s name which was ‘Stephen Spender’, the Englishman, who visited the Gemini studios.
Q. 3. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini studios ?
Ans. K. Subbu was a multitalented personality. He was brahmin. He used to be ready to solve every problem of Gemini studios. He was very close to boss. His sense of loyalty made him identified himself with the boss.
He commanded all the activities of the Gemini studios. He was a great actor and poet. He was the next boss of the Gemini studios.
Q. 4. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini studios?
Ans. Gemini studios was famous for making homely Tamil films for simple people. They had nothing to do with English poetry. The English visitor was learned but the accent of the poet could not be understood by anyone hence English poet could not create interest in the people of Gemini studios. So it was surely the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini studios.
