Poets and Pancakes – Detailed Notes by

Simran Sahni
About the Author – Asokamitran
●​ Asokamitran was a well-known Tamil writer who worked at Gemini Studios, one of
India’s most famous film studios.
●​ This chapter is an excerpt from his book "My Years with Boss", where he shares his
experiences and observations about the film industry.
●​ The chapter highlights how movies influenced Indian society and provides a
behind-the-scenes look at Gemini Studios.

Gemini Studios – An Introduction

●​ Location: Chennai (formerly Madras).
●​ Established in: 1940.
●​ Founder: S.S. Vasan.
●​ One of the most influential film production studios in India during the early and
mid-20th century.
●​ Produced several successful movies and played a significant role in shaping
Indian cinema.
●​ Known for its extravagant sets, skilled technicians, and grand productions.

The Narrator’s Job at Gemini Studios

●​ The author was assigned the duty of cutting out newspaper clippings on various
subjects and storing them in files.
●​ This job was considered insignificant by most of the people working at Gemini Studios.
●​ However, the author found this task beneficial as it helped him stay well-informed
about various topics.
●​ Even though his role was minor, he was still a part of the Gemini Family and observed
the workings of the studio closely.
Pancake – The Famous Makeup Material
●​ "Pancake" was a brand name of a makeup material used in Gemini Studios.
●​ This brand was extensively used in Hollywood and Indian film industries.
●​ Gemini Studios ordered pancake makeup in truckloads as it was used for every
actor and actress, regardless of their complexion.
●​ The main purpose of this makeup was to make actors look fairer, but it often made
them look artificial.
●​ Actors & Actresses who used Pancake:
○​ Greta Garbo – A famous Swedish actress, an Oscar-winning Hollywood star.
○​ Miss Gohar, Vyjayanthimala – Popular Indian actresses.
○​ One actress who may not have used it: Rati Agnihotri.

The Makeup Department – Setup & Working Conditions

●​ Located upstairs in a building, which was once Robert Clive’s stables.
●​ Robert Clive was a British officer in India, known for his role in establishing British
rule in India.
●​ The makeup department had bright incandescent lights that created extreme heat,
making the working conditions unbearable for actors.
●​ The makeup was applied in large quantities, turning actors into "hideous
crimson-hued monsters" rather than enhancing their looks.
●​ The makeup studio resembled a barbershop with mirrors on all sides and powerful
lights shining from different angles.

Hierarchy in the Makeup Department

The makeup department was strictly hierarchical, with different levels of artists responsible for
different actors:

1.​ Chief Makeup Man → Handled makeup for main actors and actresses (heroes &
heroines).
2.​ Senior Assistant → Responsible for second lead actors.
3.​ Junior Assistant → Applied makeup to comedians and supporting roles.
4.​ Office Boy → Handled makeup for extras (crowd actors).

Office Boy – A Frustrated Artist

 ●​ The Office Boy was in his forties but was still called a "boy."
●​ His job was to apply makeup to extras, which he considered insignificant.
●​ He dreamt of becoming a successful actor, writer, or director but never got a
chance.
●​ He blamed Kothamangalam Subbu for his failures and felt bitter towards him.
●​ His frustration turned into jealousy, and he often complained about how unfair the
film industry was.

Kothamangalam Subbu – The Most Talented & Hated Man

●​ Who was Subbu?​

○​ No. 2 at Gemini Studios (after S.S. Vasan).

○​ Most trusted by the Boss and handled all creative challenges.
○​ Had a natural talent for filmmaking, making things easy for everyone.
●​ Why was he special?​

○​ A gifted poet → Could write both high-quality poetry and mass-appealing

songs.
○​ A brilliant novelist → Wrote Thillana Mohanambal, creating lifelike characters.
○​ A fantastic actor, though he never demanded lead roles.
○​ A kind and generous man, yet he had many enemies.
●​ Why was he disliked?​

○​ Some people, like the Office Boy, envied his success.

○​ He was too loyal to the Boss, which made others suspicious of him.

The Legal Adviser – "The Opposite"

●​ A lawyer worked in the Story Department at Gemini Studios.
●​ Nicknamed "The Opposite" because he always contradicted others' views.
●​ A man of cold logic in a world of dreamers.
●​ Caused the downfall of a talented actress (her career ended due to his intervention).
●​ Eventually lost his own job when the Story Department was shut down.

Gemini Studios & Communism

 ●​ During the Congress rule, alcohol was prohibited.
●​ Most employees wore Khadi and followed Gandhian values.
●​ Despite not fully understanding Communism, they were against it.
●​ Many people disliked Communism but had no clear idea why.

Visit of MRA (Moral Re-Armament Movement) – 1952

●​ MRA was an international group that opposed Communism.
●​ They performed two plays at Gemini Studios:
○​ "The Forgotten Factor".
○​ "Jotham Valley".
●​ Impressed the Tamil drama community.
●​ Many people at Gemini Studios were influenced by their ideas.

The Mysterious Visit of an English Poet

●​ A tall English poet visited Gemini Studios and gave a speech.
●​ Nobody understood what he was saying.
●​ His visit remained a mystery for many years.
●​ The employees were confused about whether he was a poet or an editor.

Short Story Contest by "The Encounter"

●​ "The Encounter" was a British literary magazine.
●​ They organized a short story contest.
●​ The author found a copy of the magazine in the British Council Library, but nobody
else seemed to read it.
●​ Editor of the magazine: Stephen Spender.

The Narrator’s Realization – "The God That Failed"

●​ Years later, the author bought a book titled "The God That Failed".
●​ It contained six essays by famous writers, explaining why they abandoned
Communism.
 ●​ One of the contributors was Stephen Spender!
●​ The author suddenly realized that the mysterious English poet who visited Gemini
Studios was actually Stephen Spender!
●​ His visit was to talk about Communism, but nobody at Gemini Studios understood
the purpose of his speech.

Themes & Key Messages

1.​ The Glamorous vs. Harsh Reality of the Film Industry – The film industry looks
beautiful on screen, but behind the scenes, it is full of struggles, hierarchy, and
disappointments.
2.​ Irony of Anti-Communism – The employees opposed Communism without
understanding it.
3.​ Missed Opportunities – A great poet visited, but his message was lost on the
audience.
4.​ Dreams vs. Reality – Many people like the Office Boy dreamt of success but failed.

1.​ Why is the Englishman's visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?​

​
Answer: The Englishman's visit to Gemini Studios puzzled everyone. His identity was
unclear, and his speech, delivered in a British accent, was not understood by the
Tamil-speaking audience. This left the purpose of his visit a mystery.​

2.​ What does the writer mean by 'the fiery misery' of those subjected to make-up?​
​
Answer: The term 'fiery misery' refers to the discomfort experienced by actors due to the
heat from numerous incandescent lights surrounding the mirrors in the make-up room,
making the process unpleasant.​

3.​ What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?​
​
Answer: The make-up department at Gemini Studios was a blend of diverse individuals:
a Bengali head, succeeded by a Maharashtrian, with assistants from various regions,
exemplifying national integration before it became a widespread concept.​

4.​ What work did the 'office boy' do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the
studios? Why was he disappointed?​
​
Answer: The 'office boy' applied make-up to crowd players. He joined the studios
aspiring to be an actor, screenwriter, director, or lyricist but was disappointed as his
 talents were underutilized, leading to frustration.​

5.​ Why was Subbu considered No.2 at Gemini Studios?​

​
Answer: Subbu was deemed No.2 due to his close association with The Boss, his
multifaceted talents, and his ability to provide creative solutions, making him
indispensable to the studio.​

6.​ Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.​
​
Answer: Subbu's special abilities included:​

○​ Cheerfulness in all situations.

○​ Exceptional acting skills in supporting roles.
○​ Accomplished poet with works appealing to the masses.
○​ Generosity, offering shelter to many in his home.
7.​ Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?​
​
Answer: The legal adviser earned the nickname 'the opposite' after recording an
actress's tantrum without her consent, an action contrary to ethical legal practices.​

8.​ What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?​
​
Answer: The lawyer's attire of pants, tie, and sometimes a coat contrasted with the
khadi-clad, Gandhian-inspired colleagues, highlighting his distinct persona.​

9.​ Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?​
​
Answer: The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed as their visit provided a
refreshing change from routine, and their plays offered entertainment and moral
messages, aligning with the studio's cultural interests.​

10.​Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays
staged by MRA.​
​
Answer: Inspired by the MRA's play "Jotham Valley," Tamil dramas incorporated scenes
with sunrise and sunset, using minimalist sets with a white background and flute music.​