UP Board Class 12th English-Prose – Chapter 6: Handwritten Notes of Poets and Pancakes
"Poets and Pancakes" is an essay by Vikram Seth that humorously reflects on the world of filmmaking and the peculiarities of the film industry. The essay is a satirical take on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the movie-making process, particularly the hypocrisy and the contrast between the glamorous life of a film star and the lesser-known struggles of the people who contribute to the films.
Key Points
The Setting - Gemini Studios:
- The story is set in the Gemini Studios, a major film production house in Chennai, where Vikram Seth worked as a young man. The studios were a significant part of the South Indian film industry, and the essay provides a glimpse into the day-to-day activities that occurred there.
The Contradiction in the Film Industry:
- Seth humorously contrasts the image of film stars with the reality of the film-making process. While actors and directors are treated with great reverence, the people who work behind the scenes, such as the technicians and assistants, are often overlooked. The ‘poets’ (the artists and writers) are shown as being out of place in the superficial world of the film industry, symbolized by the seemingly incongruous act of making pancakes for breakfast in the studio.
The Irony of Glamour:
- The essay mocks the superficiality of glamour in the film industry, where the "poets" (artists, writers, and intellectuals) do not fit the stereotypical image of glamorous movie stars. The title, "Poets and Pancakes," plays on this juxtaposition, drawing attention to the fact that the film industry, though appearing sophisticated, is often trivial and pretentious in nature.
The Influence of Film Industry on Writers and Poets:
- Seth discusses the relationship between poets and the film industry, emphasizing how filmmakers are more interested in creating sensational, glamorous images than in understanding the deeper, intellectual aspects of writing. He points out how these superficial elements influence the writers and poets who are often marginalized in this environment.
Social Commentary:
- The essay also offers social commentary on the role of the artist in a society that values superficial fame and luxury over genuine artistic work. It subtly critiques the commercialized nature of the film industry and its impact on culture and creativity.
Conclusion
"Poets and Pancakes" is a witty and insightful essay that uses humor to critique the film industry and its contradictions. Vikram Seth highlights the gap between the glamorous, star-studded world of cinema and the mundane reality of those who work behind the scenes. The essay serves as a critique of the superficiality and materialism in the film industry, while also highlighting the struggle of poets and artists to retain their intellectual integrity in a world that often values image over substance.
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