POETS AND PANCAKES

YEH PADHO AUR PURA CHAPTER ON TIPS:

Summary

 Pancakes were used as make-up material in the studio by many famous actresses and
the studio buys in a very good amount.
 He humorously told us that these pancakes turned decent-looking characters into
monsters. The cameras and studio lights require that the artist should look ugly. And
in turn, all players were made to look ugly.
 The department had an office boy also who was around 40 years old and believed he
had so much talent. He wishes to become a star actor, director, screenwriter, or lyrics
writer.
 The make-up department was upstairs and looked like a saloon, so anyone who comes
there in the scorching heat and light to get themselves ready feels they were in Hell.
 The office boy got vexed by this and certainly, he had green eyes towards Subbu.
Subbu was very close to the boss and whenever he faced any difficulty in presenting
the scene, Subbu was there with prompt ideas to present.
 He was good at writing poems and could write in high order but suppressed his talent
and wrote in simple Tamil.
 Subbu was a member of the story department in the studio but always seen with the
boss. Besides, there was a legal advisor also in the studio who was known for his cold
behavior and illogical facts. Once he also destroyed the career of a talented actress.
 One day an actress showed tantrums on the sets and spoke against the producer. The
legal advisor cunningly recorded her voice and played in between the shooting, she
was shocked to hear her own voice and never returned on the sets.
 The author soon looked at a notice in the Hindu. A story which has been organized by a
British Periodical called The Encounter. He came to know that the editor of that
journal was none other than Stephen Spender.
 After that, he came to know about a book titled, The God That Failed. It contained six
essays about the failed communism and out of them one was written by Stephen
Spender. The mystery was solved and the purpose too

APNI KAKSHA 1
Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
Extract-1
His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements - or so his
critics felt. He composed several truly original ‘story poems’ in folk refrain and
diction and also wrote a sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with dozens of very
deftly etched characters. He quite successfully recreated the mood and manner of
the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was an amazing actor-he never aspired
to the lead roles-but whatever subsidiary role he played in any of the films, he
performed better than the supposed main players. He had a genuine love for anyone
he came across and his house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far
relations and acquaintances.
i ) Which of these statements is NOT TRUE about Subbu?
a) His literary accomplishments stole the limelight from his films.
b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his literary works were noteworthy.
c) He was selfless in nature and was empathetic towards others.
d) He never hankered after lead roles and performed minor roles in films.
Ans a)

ii ) The word ‘sprawling’ has been used with the word ‘novel’. Pick the option with
which the word ‘sprawling’ CANNOT be used.
a) metropolis
b) handwriting
c) campus
d) portrait
Ans d)

iii.) The phrase ‘deftly etched’ shows that Subbu.

a) created the roles delicately.
b) was skillful in creating the characters.
c) pondered beyond necessity about the characters.
d) gave very little thought to the characters.
Ans b)

iv.) Pick the option that best describes Subbu according to the extract.
1. benevolent
2. powerful
3. accomplished
4. witty
5. generous
6. temperamental
a) 4, 5 & 6
b) 2, 3 & 4
c) 1, 3 & 5
d) 3, 4 & 6
Ans c)

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 Extract-02
A girl from the countryside, she hadn’t gone through all the stages of worldly experience
that generally precede a position of importance and sophistication that she had found
herself catapulted into. She never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. That
was the end of a brief and brilliant acting career — the legal adviser, who was also a
member of the Story Department, had unwittingly brought about that sad end. While
every other member of the Department wore a kind of uniform — khadi dhoti with a
slightly oversized and clumsily tailored white khadi shirt — the legal adviser wore pants
and a tie and sometimes a coat that looked like a coat of mail. Often, he looked alone and
helpless …
i ) Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately.

‘Stages of worldly experience’ in the given context would refer to _____.

a) good education to gain knowledge.
b) situations that require one to be street smart.
c) smaller, not-so-important roles in acting.
d) training in soft skills.
Ans b)

ii ) Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

The harm done to the actress was a/an _____.

a) well-planned act.
b) unintentional act.
c) act of jealousy.
d) act of male dominance.
Ans b)

iii ) Based on the above extract, choose the statement that is TRUE for the legal adviser.
a) He disliked the actress from the countryside.
b) He acted after thinking through things carefully.
c) He did not gel well with others in the Department.
d) He was always dressed smartly.
Ans c)

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 Stand Alone MCQs

1. Who is the author of Poets and Pancakes?

A) Asokamitran (1931), a Tamil writer
B) Charu Nivedita
C) Jayakanthan
D) Balakumaran
Ans: A) Asokamitran (1931), a Tamil writer

2. What does his book “My Years with Boss” talk of ?

A) his job
B) explain the nature of his boss
C) explains his environment
D) impact of movies on every aspect of life in India.
Ans: D) impact of movies on every aspect of life in India.

3. When was Gemini studio set up?

A) 1920
B) 1930
C) 1910
D) 1940
Ans: D) 1940

4. What was the brand name of the make up material that Gemini studio bought?
A) Pancake
B) Mancake
C) Fancake
D) latin cake
Ans: A) Pancake

5. Who was Greta Garbo?

A) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner
B) A german actress
C) A French actress
D) A bengali actress
Ans: A) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner

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6. What was Asokamitran’s job in the studio?
A) to arrange pancakes
B) to arrange make up kits
C) to serve water
D) cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store them in files.
Ans: D) cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store them in files.

7. What has Asokamitran brought up through this write up?

A) topics of film industry
B) topics of make up industry
C) topics of gossip
D) topics of heroines
Ans: A) topics of film industry

8. What does he bring to the notice of readers through this write up?
A) movies and different roles
B) heroines and their tantrums
C) heroines and make up
D) Independent India and its infancy
Ans: D) Independent India and its infancy

9. Who was the founder of Gemini studio?

A) Mr. S.S Vasan
B) English man
C) a Tamil boy
D) a director
Ans: A) Mr. S.S Vasan

10. What has been the make up room compared to?

A) make up company
B) a Parlour
C) a jewellery shop
D) hair-cutting salon
Ans: D) hair-cutting salon

APNI KAKSHA 5
THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Ans: The writer means the misery caused by the incandescent lights that poured out intense
heat. The make-up room of the Gemini Studios had bright bulbs in the room full of large
mirrors that reflected the glowing lights. Under such blazing heat make-up was done.
Q2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Ans: The make-up team and also those who came and went were from different states. It was
headed by a Bengali and next in hierarchy was a Maharashtrian, assisted by an Andhraite,
a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and other local Tamils. It was truly a gang
of nationally integrated make-up men.
Q3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the
studios? Why was he disappointed?
Ans: The office boy applied make-up to the crowds, mixing his paint in a giant vessel and
slapping it on the crowd players. He had joined the studios in the hope of becoming a star
actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was a bit of a poet. He was
disappointed as he was placed low even in the hierarchy of make-up men.
Q4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Ans: The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and
store them in files. Many of these had to be written out in hand. Seeing him sitting at his
desk and tearing up newspapers most people thought he had nothing to do at the studios.
Q5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Ans: The office boy was frustrated because his hopes of making big in the movie world failed.
He vent his anger and frustration on Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 in the studios,
whom he held responsible for his dishonour and neglect.
Q6. Who was Subbu’s principal?
Ans: S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios, was the boss and Subbu’s Principal in the
studios. Subbu had a great loyalty to him. This made him identify himself with his
principal completely. He turned his entire creativity to his principal’s advantage.
Q7. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Ans: Subbu was a many-sided genius. He was born a Brahmin. It is a virtue in itself as it
exposed him to more affluent situations and people. Second, he had the ability to look
cheerful at all times. Third, he always had work for somebody. Fourth, he had great
loyalty to his principal, S.S. Vasan, the Boss.
Q8. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Ans: The lawyer was the only one at the studios who wore pants, tie and sometimes a coat,
unlike others who wore khadi dhoti and shirt. His job was to give support and advise on
problems, but in fact he created problems. He brought the career of a brilliant actress to
an end by terrorizing her. He was rightly called an illegal adviser.
Q9. What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Ans: The lawyer wore pants, a tie and sometimes a coat, while all wore khadi dhoti and white
khadi shirt. He looked alone and helpless. He was a man of cold logic in a crowd of
dreamers. He was a neutral man among Gandhiites and Khadiites.

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Q10. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Ans: The people at Gemini Studios wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi, but beyond that they
had no particular political interests or understanding. They only had opinions on
communism, which they loathed and looked down on communists. They considered
communists as heartless atheists who are devoid of emotions. They went about letting
loose anarchy in the society.
Q11 Why was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at Gemini Studios?
Ans: The Moral Re-Armament Army was invited to stage two plays, which were more like
plain homilies ‘ (sermons/lectures) for the Gemini family. It was discovered only later
that the group was part of the movement countering international communism and
Vasan had invited them under the influence of his political interests.
Q12. Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged
by MRA?
Ans: MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. Their high quality
costumes and well made sets earned a lot of admiration. Their sunrise and sunset scene
impressed them so much that all Tamil plays started reproducing the scene with a bare
stage, a white background curtain and a tune playing on the flute.
Q13. Who was the Boss of Gemini Studios?
Ans: Mr. S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios was the Boss. Apart from producing films,
he was an editor of a popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda Vikatan’. He was a great admirer of
scholarly people. Subbu seemed to enjoy an intimate relationship with him. Mr. Vasan is
projected as a bit of showman here.
Q14. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at
Gemini Studios?
Ans: The Englishman’s speech was peppered with words like ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ and
the Gemini family had no political interests, so they were dazed and a silent audience.
Also, the Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all
communication had failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people
whose life centered around a film studio.
Q15. Why was the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Ans: The Englishman was a poet whose name was not familiar. In his speech he talked about
the thrills and travails of an English poet, which made no sense for the simple people at
Gemini Studios who had had no exposure other than films and so they were not
interested. These simple people had neither taste for English poetry nor political
interests. Hence, his visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.
Q16. Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Ans: The English visitor to the studios was poet Stephen Spender, editor of British periodical
‘The Encounter’.
Q17. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?
Ans: The author discovered his identity by reading his name on the pages of ‘The Encounter’ in
the British Council Library. He also knew about him from the paperback edition of the
book The God That Failed.

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Q18. What does The God That Failed refer to?
Ans: The God That Failed refers to a book that was a compilation of six essays by six eminent
men. It was a low priced student edition released to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the Russian Revolution. It dealt with the author’s disillusionment with communism.

Understanding the text

Q1. The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances
of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting?
Ans: ‘Poets and Pancakes’ has an underlying tone of humour which is satirical and has been
deployed by the author to point out human foibles. It is mainly manifested in his
description of the make-up room people.
The make-up room, he says, was in a building that had once been the stables of Robert
Clive. He further makes fun of the make-up team that slapped make-up. Ironically, the
make-up turned any normal man into a hideous monster, far from being presentable. He
also refers to the fiery misery of the actors when their make-up was done under the
bright bulbs, large mirrors reflecting blazing heat. His description of Subbu’s No. 2
position in Gemini Studios, the frustration of the office boy and the opposite role played
by the legal adviser in the acting career of a countryside girl are humorously dealt with
but effectively bring out the flaws in the set-up.
The showmanship of the boss and what influences his guest list point out human
weaknesses in a light-hearted manner. The humour is at its peak in the description of the
visit of Stephen Spender. S.S. Vasan’s reading a long speech in his honour but he too knew
precious little about him. Spender’s accent is highly unintelligible. Then the author’s
establishing long lost brother’s relationship with the English visitor is also funny and
humorous. All these slight digs at human foibles tickle in us humour.
Q2. Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Ans: Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with the story department and was No.
2 at Gemini Studios not by virtue of any merit, but because he was a Brahmin with
affluent exposure. He was cheerful and had a sense of loyalty that placed him close to the
Boss. He was quick to delegate work to others. As if tailor-made for films, sparks of his
creativity showed in his suggestions on how to create shots. He composed poetry,
scripted a story and a novel. He gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its
golden years. He performed in a subsidiary role better than the main players. He had a
genuine love for his relatives and near and dear ones. His extravagant hospitality was
popular among his relatives and acquaintances, probably that is why he had enemies.
Q3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios?
Ans: The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall Englishman who was proclaimed
to be a poet. The welcome speech by the Boss was delivered in the most general terms,
which only showed that even the Boss did not know much about him. The poet talked
about the thrill and travails of an English poet which made no sense to the simple people
at Gemini Studios. They had no exposure other than films and so, they were not
interested. Also, words like democracy and freedom that featured in his speech held no
interest for them as they had no political thought or interests. Moreover, the

APNI KAKSHA 8
 Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all communications
failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people whose life centred
round a film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an unexplained mystery for much time.
Q4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Ans: The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of maintaining the newspaper
clippings of movies and other articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers,
he appeared to be doing nothing, the job kept the author well informed. Also, there
prevailed an intellectual environment to some extent because the poets and script
writers used to hang out there in the mess that served coffee any time of the day. The
author would pick up fifty paisa copies of journals from the footpath and took part in the
poetry writing competition. He actually read essays ‘The God Who Failed’ to know more
about the poet Stephen Spender. All these are evidence that he had some literary taste.

Short answer type questions

Q1. How does the writer describe the make-up room of the Gemini Studios?
Ans: The make-up room of the Gemini Studios had incandescent lights. It also had lights at all
angles around large mirrors. Those subjected to make-up had to face bright light and a lot
of heat there. It was on the upper floor of the building that was believed to have been
Robert Clive’s stables.
Q2. Bring out the humour in the job of the make-up men.
Ans: The make-up men came from all corners of the country and could transform any decent-
looking person into a repulsive crimson coloured fiend and made people look uglier than
they were in real life. They used truck loads of pancakes and locally manufactured
potions and lotions to transform the looks of the actors.
Q3. How was the make-up room a fine example of national integration?
Ans: Transcending all the barriers of regions, religions and castes, people from all over India
came to Gemini Studios for jobs. The make-up department was headed by a Bengali,
succeeded by a Maharashtrian, assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madrasi,
Christian and an Anglo Burmese and the usual local Tamils. Hence, the writer finds in the
make-up department a perfect example of national integration.
Q4. Why did the author appear to do nothing in the studio?
Ans: The author’s job in the studio was to cut newspaper dippings of all the relevant news
items and articles that appeared in different newspapers and maintain a record of the
same. This tearing of newspaper gave an impression that he was free and simply whiling
away his time. People used to barge in his cubicle and lectured him.
Q5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on and how?
Ans: The office boy had joined the studio years back. He aspired to be a top film star, or top
screen writer, lyricist or director. He felt frustrated on not being able to realise his
dreams and had been given a job much below his calibre and dignity. He blamed
Kothamangalam Subbu for all his woes, ignominy and neglect. He often gave vent to his
frustrations in the narrator’s cubicle. The narrator yearned for relief from the never-
ending babble of the office boy.
Q6. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. Justify.

APNI KAKSHA 9
Ans: Kothamangalam Subbu may not have had much formal education but, by virtue of his
being born as a Brahmin, he had had exposure to many affluent situations and people. He
had the ability to look cheerful at all times, even after a setback. He was always full of
creative ideas. Above all, he was a charitable and extravagant man and hospitable to his
relations. His loyalty had put him close to his boss. But he seemed to others a sycophant
and a flatterer and, probably, that was the reason he had enemies.
Q7. How did the lawyer unwittingly bring an end to a brief and brilliant career of a
young actress?
Ans: A talented but very temperamental actress lost her cool on the sets. The lawyer recorded
her outburst and played it back, much to her embarrassment. The actress from the
countryside was so terror- struck that she retreated and never got back to films. In this
way, his mischief making brought an abrupt end to the brilliant actress’ career.
Q8. Why did the magazine, ‘The Encounter’, ring a bell in the writer’s mind?
Ans: The writer wanted to participate in a short story writing contest organized by ‘The
Encounter’, a British publication. Before sending his entry, he waited, confirm the
authenticity of the periodical, so he visited the British Council Library. When the author
read the editor’s name, a bell rang in his mind. It was Stephen Spender, the poet who had
visited the Gemini Studios.
Q9. What was significant about the book which the author took from roadside?
Ans: ‘The God That failed’ was the name of the book which caught the attention of the author.
It contained the essays of six eminent men, who described their journey into communism
and their return from it after being disillusioned. It suddenly assumed great significance
for the author as he discovered that one of the essays had been written by Stephen
Spender, the poet, who had visited the studio. He now understood the reason for his
having been invited.
Q10. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Ans: The author was very knowledgeable young man whose job required him to pour over the
newspaper all day long. His interest in creative writing and participating in story writing
contests indicates his interest in literature. This interest was so keen that he read books
on varied subjects and went about buying them even when he was short of money.

Important Questions Long Answer Type Questions

Q.1. Kothamangalam Subbu was a ‘many-sided genius’. Elaborate. (2000 Delhi)
Or
Why is Subbu described as a many-sided genius? Give a reasoned answer. (2013
Comptt. Outside Delhi)
Ans: It is through the character of Kothamangalam Subbu, that the author depicts a caricature
of the so-called ‘go-getters’ who are not really talented but manage to create an aura of
talent around themselves. Though officially on the rolls of the Story Department at
Gemini Studios, he was always with the boss. Subbu directs all his energies and creativity
to his boss’ advantage. He delves into the various spheres of film-making successfully
giving the impression of being a brilliant story-writer, a talented actor and a man who is
always ready with many solutions for any problem. He makes the art of film-making

APNI KAKSHA 10
 appear rather easy for his boss. Thus Subbu with his scheming nature takes advantage of
his boss’ gullibility and passes off himself as a multi-sided genius with multi-faceted
abilities.
Q 2. Asokamitran has used humour and satire effectively in ‘Poets and Pancakes’.
Discuss. (2001 Delhi)
Or
How does humour and satire enliven the account of the events and personalities at
Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran in ‘Poets and Pancakes’? (2013
Outside Delhi)
Ans: 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.
Q 3. Subbu was ‘tailor-made for films’. How did he use his genius in various activities in
the Gemini Studios? (2008 Outside Delhi)
Ans: The author portrays Subbu as a man of versatile abilities who could delve into various
aspects of film-making successfully. Subbu had mastered all the arts related to film-
making ranging from story-writing to poetry and characterisation. He was in fact ‘tailor-
made’ for film-making. Film-making seemed rather easy with an expert like Subbu
walking around as he understood all the trivialities and technicalities of film-making.
Subbu was the one who gave ‘a new direction and definition’ to the Gemini Studios during
its golden years. Subbu directed his entire energies and creativity to his boss, Mr. Vasan’s
advantage. If his boss was dissatisfied with one scene Subbu would offer him many
alternatives. He understood all the complications of film-making and could showcase his
talent in every artistic arena.
Q 4. Why and how was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios?
(2008 Outside Delhi)
Ans: 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. But Mr. Vasan, the boss at Gemini
Studios was fascinated by the MRA, so they could not have found a ‘warmer’ host than
Gemini Studios in India. The MRA presented two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten
Factor’ in the most professional manner. Six hundred people of the Gemini Studios saw
the plays many times. These plays conveyed simple messages but their sets and costumes
were ‘first rate’. They impressed both the Tamil drama community and the Gemini

APNI KAKSHA 11
 Studios. The sunrise and sunset scenes of ‘Jotham Valley’ continued to be copied for years
to come.
Q.5 ‘Subbu was a troubleshooter.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give an account of
Subbu’s qualities of head and heart. (2012 Outside Delhi)
Ans: Subbu was a perfectly selfish go-getter whose obsequiousness brought him close to his
boss and shot him to number two position at Gemini Studios. He was a very conniving
person who took advantage of his boss’ gullibility and portrayed himself as a rather
competent and able person. Though he was undeserving and lacked talent, he always
remained cheerful and did not let anything dampen his spirits. He always had something
good to say about everyone. Film-making appeared easy with an expert like Subbu
around. He used all his energy and creativity to his boss’ advantage. Subbu was also a
great poet and an amazing actor. He wrote truly original poems for the masses and as an
actor he played secondary roles better than the main actors. His sycophancy to his boss
earned him enemies. Also he angered many such people who considered themselves
much more talented and deserving than him.
Q 6. What political significance does Gemini Studios’ invitation to Moral Re-Armament
army and Stephen Spender show? (2012 Outside Delhi)
Ans: The Moral Re-Armament army was a kind of counter movement to Communism and the
people at the Gemini Studios had a natural aversion towards Communists and
Communism. They considered that the aim of Communists was to spread unrest and
violence. So by being a ‘warm host’ to the Moral Re¬Armament army the people at the
Gemini Studios actually displayed a counter movement to the ideas of Communism. By
inviting Stephen Spender, once again the purpose of the Gemini Studios was to highlight
how a renowned English poet, who was once attracted to Communism, was later
completely disillusioned by it. This further strengthened their aversion to Communism
and they were able to publicly display this aversion.

Previous year questions

Q.1 Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as unexplained mystery? (2002 Delhi)
Ans: The visit of the Englishman raised many queries and doubts in the minds of those who
were working in Gemini Studios. The Englishman’s name was unfamiliar and his
credentials too were unconfirmed. No one could understand his speech so everyone
wondered why he had come to a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people who
had no interest in English poetry.
Q 2. Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was the purpose of his visit?
(2004 Delhi; 2011 Comptt. Delhi)
Ans: The Englishman who visited the studios was Stephen Spender. He was an English poet
and the editor of a British periodical, ‘The Encounter’. He visited the studio to deliver a
speech at the invitation of Mr. Vasan who was the boss of Gemini Studios. He was unable
to establish a rapport with his dazed audience. No one really understood the purpose of
his visit. Even his identity was discovered by Asokamitran years later, that too by sheer
chance.
Q 3. What was MRA and why it was welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2005 Delhi)

APNI KAKSHA 12
Ans: The MRA, the Moral Rearmament Army, was a kind of counter movement to international
communism. They were welcomed at the Gemini Studios due to their political affiliations.
The big boss of the studio, Mr. Vasan literally played into their hands. Also, people at the
Gemini Studios were averse to communism. So the Moral Rearmament Army could not
have found a better host in India than the Gemini Studios, who welcomed them warmly.
Q 4. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios? (2006 Delhi)
Ans: The English poet’s address was a complete misfit in the midst of the Tamil knowing
audience at Gemini Studios. His speech was incongruous and his accent so indistinct that
no one actually understood a word of what he said. He was talking about the thrills and
travails of an English poet to a dazed audience. Finally, neither the Englishman himself
nor his audience understood why they were going through the entire ordeal.
Q 5. Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to do? (2008
Delhi)
Ans: The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and
store them in files. Most people saw him doing this and considered it as useless work as
they felt he was doing next to nothing. So everyone in the studio thought of giving the
author some work to do.

APNI KAKSHA 13