Poets & Pancakes By Asokamitran An Overview Themes This chapter has been taken from "My Years with Boss' written by Asokamitran. Through this write up, Asokamitran brings up a lot of topics pertaining to film industry in particular and India in general, and provides the reader a glimpse of independent India in its infancy. Communism also finds a place in the musings of Asokamitran. At that time of India, the educated folk took pride in showing their support for communism and Gemini studios was no exception. He also mentions the anti-communism movement run by the West. Asokamitran, known for his humour and satire, talks about his days at Gemini Studios.Main Characters Asokamitran: The author of the narrative and an employee of Gemini Studio, Asokamitran's work was to cut newspaper clippings, paste these and maintain a file of the same. The other staff looked down on his job and believed themselves to be superior to him.Office Boy: The office boy was not really a boy, but a grown-up man. He was forty years old. He was in charge of the crowd make-up. Though his job was an easy one, he considered himself to be a skilled artist.He had once aspired to be a star actor or a top screen writer. He blamed Subbu for his failure.Kothamangalam Subbu: Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. Though he definitely came from a less advantaged background than the office boy, being a brahmin by birth had given him better exposure than the office boy. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times and his undivided loyalty was to Vasan, the principal of Gemini Studios. Extremely creative, Subbu directed all his talent to his principal's advantage.Though a brilliant actor, he was content playing secondary roles and usually performed better than the lead actors. Without a doubt, Subbu gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years.Subbu was an extremely talented poet as well. Though capable of writing complex poetry, he deliberately chose to write in simple Tamil verse to enlighten the masses. Generous to the core, Subbu's house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and distant relations, whom he fed and supported without a thought. Yet, even Subbu had enemies.Legal Advisor: Like Subbu, the story department of Gemini Studios also had a lawyer, officially known as legal advisor, though better known for the opposite reasons. While every other member of the story department wore a khadi dhoti and white khadi shirt, the legal advisor wore pants and a tie, and sometimes an oversized coat. He is described as a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers. He was responsible for destroying the acting career of a highly talented actress, by his irresponsible behaviour.Stephen Spender: Stephen Spender, an English poet, editor and a one-time communist, came to Gemini Studios and gave a speech. His lecture was about Communism on one side and about his struggles to establish as a poet on the other. The content of the speech and the accent of the poet left everyone utterly bewildered. The reason for his visit remained an unexplained mystery. Asokamitran later discovered that Stephen Spender was the editor of the British periodical, 'Encounter' y When he accidentally chanced upon Spender's essay on Communism in the book, 'The God that Failed', Asokamitran understood the connection between the English poet, Stephen Spender and the owner of Gemini Studios, S.S. Vasan.Summary The word 'Pancakes' from the title Poets and Pancakes' is the name of a make-up brand that Gemini Studios used in large amounts. It is a very popular brand used by famous celebriiies like Miss Gohar, Greta Garbo and Vyjayantimala. The writer says that another actress named Rati Agnihotri may not have even heard of the brand of makeup as she entered the industry later and probably, tho brand was no longer in use then. In this lesson, Asokamitran talks about Gemini Studios ane all that helps in keeping it in the spotlight. He starts by making a mention about 'Pancakes', the famous make-up brand which Gemini Studios ordered in truckloads. He then talks about the plight of actors and actresses who have to bear too many lights on their face while getting ready in the make-up room.
- / 1