Poets and Pancakes

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Asokamitran (1931-2017), a Tamil writer, is the author. His job at Gemini Studios was to cut out newspaper clippings on various subjects and store them in files. Many had to be written out by hand. Th…

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Pancake was the brand name of make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truck-loads. Famous actresses like Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar, and Vyjayanthimala used it. The make-up department used it alon…

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The make-up department staff included people from different regions and backgrounds: a Bengali (who left), a Maharashtrian (head), assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian…

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The hierarchy was: Chief make-up man (chief actors), senior assistant (second hero/heroine), junior assistant (main comedian), and office boy (crowd players). The office boy mixed paint in a giant ves…

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He was in his early forties, not actually a boy. He had joined the studios years ago hoping to become a star actor, top screenwriter, director, or lyrics writer. He was 'a bit of a poet' and felt his …

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Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He was tailor-made for films - a man who could be inspired when commanded. He had the ability to look cheerful even after flop films, always had work for others,…

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As a poet, Subbu deliberately chose to address the masses, composing original 'story poems' in folk refrain and diction. He wrote the sprawling novel 'Thillana Mohanambal' with dozens of deftly etched…

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Despite being a charitable man who supported many relatives and acquaintances, Subbu had enemies. Possible reasons included: his closeness to The Boss, his general demeanor that resembled a sycophant'…