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 pertainingto film industry in particularand India in general, and
provides the reader a glimpse of independentIndia in its infancy. Communismalso 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 movementrun
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 definitelycame 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 brilliantactor, he was content playing secondary roles and usually performed better than the lead
actors. Withouta doubt, Subbu gave direction and definitionto 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
permanentresidence for dozens of near and distant relations,whom he fed and supportedwithouta
thought.Yet, even Subbu had enemies.
Legal Advisor: Like Subbu, the story departmentof Gemini Studios also had a lawyer, officiallyknown 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, editorand a one-time communist,came to Gemini
Studios and gave a speech. His lecturewas aboutCommunismon one side and about his strugglesto
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 writersays that anotheractress named Rati Agnihotrimay not have even
heard of the brand of makeup as she entered the industrylater 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
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 pertainingto film industry in particularand India in general, and
provides the reader a glimpse of independentIndia in its infancy. Communismalso 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 movementrun
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 definitelycame 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 brilliantactor, he was content playing secondary roles and usually performed better than the lead
actors. Withouta doubt, Subbu gave direction and definitionto 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
permanentresidence for dozens of near and distant relations,whom he fed and supportedwithouta
thought.Yet, even Subbu had enemies.
Legal Advisor: Like Subbu, the story departmentof Gemini Studios also had a lawyer, officiallyknown 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, editorand a one-time communist,came to Gemini
Studios and gave a speech. His lecturewas aboutCommunismon one side and about his strugglesto
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 writersays that anotheractress named Rati Agnihotrimay not have even
heard of the brand of makeup as she entered the industrylater 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
