NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 6 — Poets and Pancakes
This chapter, 'Poets and Pancakes,' from the NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo textbook, is an excerpt from Asokamitran's 'My Years with Boss.' It vividly describes the author's experiences at Gemini Studios in Chennai, a prominent film-producing organization in early Indian cinema. Asokamitran's role was to cut and file newspaper clippings, making him surprisingly well-informed. The text humorously details the make-up department, its diverse staff representing national integration, and the liberal use of 'Pancake' make-up. It highlights the hierarchy within the department, from making chief actors 'ugly' to the office boy's role in applying make-up to crowd players. The chapter offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of a film studio and the author's unique perspective on life within it, contributing to a broader understanding of Indian cinema's history and culture for CBSE students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Poets and Pancakes |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 710 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical context of Gemini Studios and early Indian cinema.
- Analyze the author's role and perspective within the studio.
- Identify themes of national integration and the workings of a film studio's make-up department.
- Appreciate the author's narrative style and descriptive language.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| catapulted into | suddenly thrust into a particular situation or activity |
| a coat of mail | a flexible body armour made of interlinked metal rings or scales |
| played into their hands | acted in a way that benefited one's opponents |
| the favourite haunt | a place that a person or group visits frequently |
| heard a bell ringing | realized something suddenly |
| incandescent | emitting light as a result of being heated |
| hierarchy | a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority |
| office boy | a junior male employee, typically responsible for delivering messages, making tea, etc. |
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Practice questions
- Who was Asokamitran and what was his role at Gemini Studios? Answer: Asokamitran was a Tamil writer who worked at Gemini Studios. His job was to cut out newspaper clippings on various subjects and store them in files.
- What was 'Pancake' in the context of Gemini Studios? Answer: 'Pancake' was the brand name of the make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in large quantities.
- Describe the composition of the make-up department staff. Answer: The make-up department staff was diverse, including a Bengali, a Maharashtrian, a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and local Tamils, showcasing national integration.
- What was the office boy's responsibility in the make-up department? Answer: The office boy was responsible for applying make-up to the crowd players during crowd-shooting scenes.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Who is the author of the excerpt 'Poets and Pancakes'?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the excerpt is from Asokamitran's book 'My Years with Boss'.
Q2. Gemini Studios was located in which city?
Explanation: The text mentions that Gemini Studios was located in Chennai.
Q3. What was the primary duty of Asokamitran at Gemini Studios?
Explanation: Asokamitran's duty was to cut out newspaper clippings and store them in files.
Q4. The make-up department of Gemini Studios was believed to have been located in:
Explanation: The text states that the make-up department was in the upstairs of a building believed to have been Robert Clive's stables.
Q5. What was the brand name of the make-up material bought by Gemini Studios?
Explanation: 'Pancake' was the brand name of the make-up material mentioned in the text.
Q6. The make-up department staff represented:
Explanation: The diverse staff from different regions of India highlighted national integration long before official broadcasting programs on the topic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the significance of the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes'?
The chapter provides a humorous and insightful look into the functioning of Gemini Studios, an early influential film-producing organization in India, through the eyes of the author Asokamitran.
Who was Asokamitran?
Asokamitran (1931–2017) was a Tamil writer whose excerpt from his book 'My Years with Boss' forms this chapter, recounting his time at Gemini Studios.
What was the role of the 'office boy' in Gemini Studios?
The office boy, despite his title, was responsible for applying make-up to the crowd players during shooting, a task he performed from a giant vessel.
What does the chapter suggest about national integration in Gemini Studios?
The chapter highlights that Gemini Studios' make-up department had a diverse staff from various regions of India, indicating a form of national integration existed long before it was officially promoted.
What is 'Pancake' as mentioned in the text?
'Pancake' was the brand name of a make-up material that Gemini Studios purchased in large quantities for its actors and actresses.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 6 — Poets and Pancakes. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.