NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes

The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent lights which produced lots of heat that create discomfort for actors. They all went through discomfort and the trouble which is described as ‘the fiery misery’.

The author speaks of national integration in Gemini Studios because people of almost all communities had worked and contributed at one time or another. The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who later left. Then a Maharashtrian joined who was aided by a Dharwar Kannadiga who belonged to Andhra Pradesh, a Madrasi Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the typical local Tamils. Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) started the program on National Integration much later, but Gemini Studio had set its example long ago.

In Gemini studios a strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department. The chief make-up man does the make-up of chief actors and actresses and the players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy. On the days when there was a crowd shooting, it was responsibility of office boy to apply the make-up and he usually mix his paint in a giant vessel and pour it on the crowd players.
He was in his early forties, having entered the studios years ago in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was disappointed because he failed and remained an ‘office boy’. His dream never comes true and he remained on the same position.

Author’s work was to tear newspaper cuttings on different topics. People saw him sitting on his desk and tearing up newspapers day in and day out that’s why to most of the people he seemed to be doing nothing.

Office boy remain frustrated because despite putting in many efforts and qualities he remained an office boy. He was experiencing very uncertain and difficult times. He had a good formal education, capable of writing poetry and even have good mind in direction but even after having all these qualities he was still an office boy. He showed his anger on Kothamangalam Subbu because former was convinced that all his misery, humiliation and neglect were due to Kothamangalam Subbu who was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios.

Subbu’s principal was the founder of Gemini Studios Mr S. S. Vasan. All his work was done under shadow of Mr Vasan.

Subbu was the left hand of any director or producer. It was Subbu’s job to get the director out of any hurdle or complication during shooting. He had special qualities like he was cheerful during all the ups and downs. It didn’t matter whether the film was a hit or a flop, he used to be cool. Second, he was the man who could be inspired when commanded by seniors. When difficulties arose in front of the director regarding a scene, Subbu had 10 solutions to it. Third, he was good in writing and wrote several poems throughout his career. Last but not least, his nature and behavior was very good, which made him good with all the people of the society.

The legal adviser or lawyer job was in story department. Although his job was to assist director in several matters but his antics had less profit and more damage to many artists. Once an actress’s career got over because of him.

The lawyer looked different from resof the members of department because when everybody wore khadi dhoti and tailored made shirt but he wore coat and pant with tie. In the studio, he was the only man who looked different in the army of Gandhi’s.

In the Gemini studio, awesome coffee was available day and night, which was enjoyed by all in the mess. This used to be the time where everyone used to discuss political issues or current affairs. Although all were Devotees of Gandhi ji and used to wear khadi clothes but they had no inclination towards Congress or any other party. Nor they had any political affiliations.

Mr. S.S. Vasan and other Madras big bosses played into their hands. Hence, Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed at the studios for shooting.

“Jotham Valley” was such a play by MRA that got a lot of fame in Madras. Gemini studio was impressed with this drama. For a few years, the shoots of sun rise and sunset were filmed in Tamil plays with bare stage. Not only this white background curtain and flute were copied too.

The boss of Gemini Studio was its founder Mr S.S. Vasan.

The Englishman who arrived from England at Gemini Studios gave a speech for about an hour in his native accent but due to majority of typical tamilians present there, they did not understand anything. This caused the lack of communication between the two.

The accent of the person who had come from a foreign land could not be understood by any person sitting there. Moreover, no one knew if he was an editor or poet. Only the Boss knew the purpose of his visit or what he said in his hour long speech. This way his visit remained an unexplained mystery.

Stephen Spender was the English visitor to the Gemini Studios. He was the editor of ‘The Encounter’, a British periodical as well as a well known poet, essayist, novelist of twentieth century.

The author made some research on short story contest which was sponsored by English periodical, The Encounter. Regarding this he visited British Council Library where he saw fresh copies of this periodical lying there. When he read the editor’s name, he could hear bells ringing in his heart because he was none other than the English visitor who gave an hour long speech in Gemini Studio and whose name was Stephen Spender.

Six authors from different countries described their journeys into “Communism and their disillusioned return”. Each one has separate aspects described in this book. Six famous authors are Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer and Stephen Spender.

The author has used humour in his story at some places while narrating the life at ‘Gemini Studios’. The first such example was use of word ‘fiery misery’ for artists who used to be much bother because of incandescent light on large mirrors. He has written about Make Up man that he did not leave any pore empty on actor’s face by applying excessive lotions and options. The author has well explained how the career of an actress ended due to a small act of legal advisor. Last but not least, the crowd at Gemini Studio does not understand a single word in speech given by famous poet and novelist Stephen Spender.

Due to his creativity, Subbu had become Mr Dependable of Gemini studio without which no work would have been done by the director. Whenever any director or producer was in a fix in any situation, Subbu had multiple solutions for him. There was hardly any situation when Subbu does not have a solution for. Because of this, he was called the left hand of the Boss or No. 2 of the studio.

Stephen was invited to the Gemini studio at the invitation of the Boss Mr S.S. Vasan, where he had the opportunity to speak for an hour. But because of his typical English accent, no one could understand what he was saying. And after his departure, everyone was asking each other whether you had any understanding why he had come. This is probably the first time in history that the purpose of the chief guest’s arrival could not be understood even after years of his departure.

The author was a prose writer. He wanted to send a short story for a contest organized by a British periodical, ‘The Encounter’.