Class 12 English Flamingo Poets and Pancakes (Word meaning)

 NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Poets and Pancakes 

(Asokamitran)

word meaning

Affluent: wealthy  

Anglo-Burmese: The Anglo-Burmese people, also known as the Anglo-Burmans, are a community of Eurasians of Burmese and European descent, who emerged as a distinct community through mixed relations between the British and other European settlers and the indigenous peoples of Burma from 1826 until 1948 when Myanmar gained its independence from the United Kingdom.

Averse: having a strong dislike of or opposition to something

Bafflement: confusion

Barge in:  to walk into a room quickly, without being invited

Broadcasting: the transmission of programmes or information by radio or television

Catapulted: move suddenly or at great speed

Cold logic: logic that fails to consider human factors such as culture, language, social dynamics, personality and emotion

Communism: collectivism, socialism 

Compunction: reluctance

Conjugal: relating to marriage or the relationship between a married couple 

Countermovement: a movement or other action made in opposition to another.

Covertly: secretly

Crimson hue: deep red colour

Critic: a person who judges the merits of literary or artistic works

Cubicle: a small partitioned-off area of a room

Deftly: effortlessly

Deliberately: on purpose

Demeanour:  manner; attitude

Devadasis: In South India, a devadasi is a girl “dedicated” to worship and serve a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. The system was outlawed in all of India in 1988.

Diction: the style of enunciation in speaking or singing

Direst: terrible

Drudge: a person made to do hard menial or dull work.

Dwarfed: cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison

Enlightened: having or showing a rational, modern and well-informed outlook

Epics: an exceptionally long and arduous task or activity

Fiery: red-hot; scorching

Filial: relating to or due from a son or daughter.

Forbidden: not allowed; banned.

Forthcoming: about to happen or appear

Foul: bad

French window: each of a pair of glazed doors in an outside wall, serving as a window and door, typically opening onto a garden or balcony

Having a hand in:  to be involved with something

Hideous: extremely ugly

Hierarchy: A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority

Homilies: sermon; lecture

Hues: complexion

Ignazio Silone: An Italian writer, who was the founder member of the Italian communist party in 1921, and is known for the book. The God That Failed, authored by him.

Ignominy: public shame or disgrace

Improvident: a person who does not plan his expenses and ends up wasting money

Incandescent: emitting light as a result of being heated; burning

Incriminating: making someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

Integration: unification

Khadi: an Indian homespun cotton cloth

Leisure: time when one is not working or occupied; free time 

Literati: well-educated people who are interested in literature.

Louis Fischer: A well known American journalist and a writer of Mahatma Gandhi’s biography entitled

Madras Indian Christian: – a particular caste in Indian Christians of people from Madras who have been converted to Christianity religion

Manuscript: an author’s handwritten or typed text that has not yet been published

Mess: a building or room providing meals

Persevering: continuing in a course of action despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Perverts: a person whose sexual behaviour is regarded as abnormal and unacceptable.

played into their hands – to do something that one does not realize will hurt oneself and help someone else

Potions: a liquid mixture

Prerequisite: a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist

Pursuit: hobby, activity

Refrain: lines that are repeated in poetry

Richard Wright: An American writer, known for his novel Native Son and his autobiography Black Boy.

Sneaking into: doing something in a secretive or stealthy way

Sprawling: spreading over a large area, detailed

Stephen Spender: An English poet essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice and class struggle.

Struck dumb: shocked

Subsidiary: secondary, supporting

Surmise: guess; suspect

Sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously (excessively obedient) towards someone important in order to gain advantage  

Tempramental:  liable to unreasonable changes of mood.

Tirade: a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

Trapeze: a horizontal bar hanging with two ropes and free to swing, used by acrobats in a circus  

Unwittingly: unknowingly

Vaguely: in a way that is uncertain 

Virtue: behaviour showing high moral standards; here, good luck

Woes: distress

Class 12 English Flamingo Poets and Pancakes (Short question answers)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Poets and Pancakes 

(Asokamitran)

Short question answers

 

1. What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?

Answer. The writer is attempting to shed light on the problems performers and actresses suffer as a result of half a dozen mirrors surrounded by big light bulbs by referring to 'the flaming misery' of those subjected to make-up. The lights produced a lot of heat and were definitely not pleasant to look at.

2. What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?

Answer. A Bengali was the head of the make-up studio at first, but he outgrew Gemini Studios and moved on to larger chances. Following him was a Maharashtrian, who was helped by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and the usual local Tamils. The fact that people from all cultures collaborated promotes the post-independence national integration scenario. It demonstrates that people were unified even before All India Radio and Doordarshan brought up the idea.

3. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?

Answer. The 'office kid' was in charge of slapping paint on the faces of players during crowd shooting. He came to Gemini Studios with the goal of becoming a top-tier actor, screenwriter, or producer.

4. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

Answer. The author’s job was to cut and collect newspaper clippings or sometimes even writing them by hand. This was easier and lesser in comparison to what others were doing at the Studio.

5. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?

Answer. The office lad was dissatisfied because he believed his literary gift would be squandered in a room full of barbers and make-up artists. He was able to direct his rage toward Subbu.

6. Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.

Answer. Subbu, a guy of many talents, could always appear cheery, was an exceptional actor who could play his roles in a variety of ways, was an adept poet, and adored everyone he encountered.

7. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?

Answer Others referred to the legal adviser as the polar opposite since he once blackmailed an actress by taping her while she was having tantrums on work. This is not legal, so he was frequently referred to as the reverse.

8. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?

Answer. Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament brigade was warmly welcomed in the studio, owing to their political affiliation. The MRA was a pleasant distraction from their routine days at the studio.

9. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?

Answer. The Englishman's visit to the Gemini Studios is described as an inexplicable mystery because no one could determine if he was a poet or an editor. Furthermore, no one in the studio understood what he was saying because his accent was beyond their comprehension.

10. Who was the English visitor to the studios?

Answer. Stephen Spender

11. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?

Answer. By using flattery, Kothamangalam Subbu was able to secure the position closest to The Boss. He wasn't clever, but he was happy and devoted to The Boss. When The Boss was in a jam, he gave solutions. As a result, the staff ranked him second in Gemini Studios.

Class 12 English Flamingo Poets and Pancakes ( Summary)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Poets and Pancakes 

(Asokamitran)

Summary

In this narrative, Asokamitran delves into the world of Gemini Studios, shedding light on what keeps it in the public eye. He commences by referencing 'Pancakes,' the renowned makeup brand ordered in abundance by Gemini Studios. He proceeds to highlight the challenges faced by actors and actresses, enduring the glare of numerous lights while preparing in the makeup room. According to him, the makeup department applied copious amounts of makeup to transform them into unrecognizable figures. Surprisingly, he mentions the office boy of the makeup department, whose duty involved hurriedly applying paint to actors' faces during crowd-shooting. This young man, a poet by nature, harbored aspirations of becoming an actor, screenwriter, director, or lyricist, joining the studio with high hopes.

During those days, the author worked within a cubicle, responsible for gathering seemingly inconsequential newspaper clippings—a task often dismissed by others. Consequently, the office boy persistently bothered him with his grievances, attributing his misery to a figure named Subbu, whom he believed had an advantage due to being born a Brahmin. Subbu, a resourceful and loyal individual, was integral to the studio, seemingly tailor-made for the film industry. Despite this, he exhibited a warm hospitality like many others at Gemini Studios, engaging in poetry alongside his work in the story department, which also included a lawyer known for his pragmatic and unbiased nature in a room brimming with dreamers.

Asokamitran then recounts Gemini Studios hosting the Moral Rearmament Army, a group of international performers. Though their narratives lacked complexity, their sets and costumes were impeccably executed. Their influence extended to Tamil plays, shaping the depiction of sunsets and sunrises reminiscent of the 'Jotham Valley' for several years. Subsequently, another visitor, Stephen Spender, graced Gemini Studios. Initially unfamiliar to most due to linguistic barriers, it wasn't until years later that Asokamitran encountered Spender's name in a book, finally recognizing the significance of the visitor.

Class 12 English Flamingo Poets and Pancakes (Theme)

 NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Poets and Pancakes 

(Asokamitran)

Theme

 

The chapter describes the various methods in which people work together despite their antipathy for one another. We also learn the distinction between film and reality. The narrator describes the backstage occurrences at the Gemini studio, as well as the relationships between the numerous painters, poets, and other team members. The technique of preparing artists to play movie roles is also discussed

Class 12 English Flamingo Indigo ( Word meaning)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Indigo

(Louis Fischer)

Word meaning

 

            Abandoned: deserted, inhibited

            Abstractions: something which exists only as an idea.

            Accompanied: go along with someone

            Adamant: firm

.           Advent: arrival

            Advocate: supporter, protector

            Alleviate: uplift

            Amazement: surprise

            Apparently: seemingly, evidently

            Arable: land suitable for farming

            Assembled: gathered

            Associates: supporters

            Authorities: officials, power

            Baffled: confused

            Boarded: get on, enter

            Bully: trying to harm others considering them to be weak

            Chided: criticize, scold

            Civil Disobedience: peaceful political protest

            Compelled: forced

            Complied: followed or obeyed

            Conclusion: result, end of something

            Concrete: solid

            Conferred: granted

            Conscience: sense of right and wrong

            Contented: willing to accept something, satisfied

            Convention: agreement

            Conveyance: transportation

.           Deadlock: a situation in which no progress can be made

            Deceitfully: dishonestly

            Defenders: protector

            Defiance: opposition

            Depositions: a formal written statement

            Desertion: action of leaving a place, organization etc

            Dreaded: regarded with great fear or apprehension

            Emaciated: thin

Entreaty: an earnest or humble request

            Extorted: took forcibly

            Forthwith: immediately, at once

            Grievances: complaints

            Hitherto: Earlier, Previously

            Humanitarian: Concerned with human welfare

            Influential: powerful

            Injustice: unfairness

            Intertwined: twisted, braided, knitted

            Irksome: irritating

            Leading: prominent, popular

            Liberation: release

            Merely: only

            Miserable: unhappy, sad

            Obliged: required, made legally bound to do something

            Pacifist: Peace maker

            Peasant: small farmer

            Pestered: bother, harass

            Pleading: the action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone

            Prestige: honour, esteem

            Prominent: Important, well known

            Prop: support

            Prosecutor: Lawyer or barrister

            Protracted: lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual.

            Province: region, territory

            Reconvened: to start again after a small break

            Resolute: determined

            Reverted: returned

            Self Reliance: self sufficiency, self support

            Spontaneous: voluntary, unforced

            Summoned: called

            Tenacity: determination

            Tenants: occupants paying rent in cash or kind

            Throbbed: produced a lot of vibrations due to a huge crowd

            Triumphed: won

            Unanimously: without opposition

            Vehement: showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense.

            Volunteer: a person who offers his service free of cost

            Yeoman: a man who cultivates a small piece of land

Class 12 English Flamingo Indigo (Theme)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Indigo

(Louis Fischer)

Theme

The chapter demonstrates the importance that strong leadership is to changing people's lives. The author outlines a few factors that played a role in Mahatma Gandhiji's widespread fame and public admiration. He campaigned for the rights of the poor because he cared about their situation. In addition, he tried to encourage them and impart independence to them.

The lesson teaches us that in order to become a people person, one must possess both empathy and leadership qualities.

Class 12 English Flamingo Indigo (summary)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Indigo

(Louis Fischer)

Summary

Gandhi and Louis Fischer first met in 1942 at his Sevagram ashram. Gandhi explained to him how he started the British exodus from India. He remembers visiting the location in 1917 at the request of Champaran sharecropper Rajkumar Shukla. In 1916, Gandhi traveled to Lucknow to attend the Indian National Congress's annual convention. Shukla said to him that he had traveled from Champaran to ask for his assistance in defending the rights of sharecroppers. Gandhi excused himself by saying he was busy, but Shukla went with him to a number of locations till he agreed to go to Champaran.

Gandhiji was delighted by his resolute decision and assured him that he would visit Calcutta on a specific day, after which Shukla may come and accompany him to Champaran. Shukla escorted him to Patna by train after they met in Calcutta. They waited for Gandhi when he went to the home of attorney Rajendra Prasad. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances, he arrived in Muzzafarpur on April 15, 1917. Professor J.B. Kriplani and his students gave him a warm welcome. Gandhi was taken aback by the overwhelming support shown for a home rule supporter such as himself. He also got to know a few attorneys who were already working on sharecropper issues. According to the agreement, the peasant was to set aside 15% of their land for the production of indigo, with the landlord receiving the crop as rent. This was an extremely repressive system. Gandhi was an advocate for sharecroppers. He went to the British Land Association, but as an alien, he was not provided any information. He then went to the Tirhut Division Commissioner, who had threatened Gandhi, and asked that he leave Tirhut. Rather than heading back, he traveled to Motihari. At this point, he began compiling all of the facts pertaining to the indigo deal. He was escorted by numerous attorneys.

One day, the police superintendent's courier stopped him on his way to see a peasant who was being mistreated by the indigo growers and gave him a notice telling him to leave. Gandhi ignored the directive despite receiving the notice. He was the target of a lawsuit. Numerous attorneys arrived to counsel him, but when he became anxious, they all joined him in his fight and even agreed to go to jail in order to aid the underprivileged peasants. A sizable throng gathered outside the court on the day of the trial. It was no longer possible to deal with them. Gandhi assisted the police in managing the throng. Gandhi clarified that he was not breaking the law when he defied in order to assist the peasants.

After being given bail, the prosecution against him was eventually withdrawn. Gandhi and his allies began compiling a wide range of data regarding the indigo contract and its abuse. A panel was later formed to investigate the situation. Following the investigation, the planters were found guilty and ordered to reimburse the peasants. They only offered to pay 25% of the total amount since they expected to be rejected. Gandhi agreed to this as well because he intended to release the sharecroppers from the indigo contract's restrictions. In the Champaran villages, he established six schools, where students were taught by volunteers including Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, and his son, Devdas. Gandhi's wife Kasturbai once instructed people on personal cleanliness.Subsequently, he improved the quality of life for the Champaran inhabitants by providing medical facilities with the aid of a volunteer doctor. Andrews was a mediator who wished to work as a volunteer at Champaran Ashram. Gandhi, however, declined because he believed that Indians should learn how to be independent so they would not need outside help. Gandhi informed the author that Champaran's experience had led him to conclude that, in his own nation, he did not require the Britisher's guidance.

Class 12 English Flamingo Indigo( Long answers)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Indigo

(Louis Fischer)

Long question answers

 

Q1. What solution to the problems of the poor did Gandhi suggest? How far did the Champaran movement help in this direction?
Ans. Sharecropper peasants were mandated to cultivate indigo on 15 percent of their land and hand over the indigo yield as rent to their landlords. However, when Germany introduced synthetic indigo, British landowners illicitly demanded money from the peasants to annul the 15 percent agreement. The peasants were coerced into signing new contracts and paying fees under the dominance of the landowners, who acted above the law. Many sought legal representation, incurring substantial expenses, and resorted to courts for justice.

 

Lawyers from Muzaffarpur informed Gandhi about these peasants, whom they frequently represented in court. Recognizing the severe oppression and fear these peasants faced, Gandhi prioritized liberating them from fear over legal justice. He was willing to face arrest on their behalf. Thousands of peasants spontaneously protested around the courthouse. Consequently, the government had to release Gandhi without bail. This voluntary uprising among the peasants marked the onset of their emancipation from British intimidation.

Q2. ‘Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India.’Relate the events during Gandhi’s stay in Champaran that led to the triumph.
Ans. Gandhi had arrived in Motihari, the Champaran capital, to investigate the issues facing sharecropper peasants. While en route to a nearby village where a peasant suffered mistreatment, he encountered a roadblock orchestrated by the police superintendent’s messenger, commanding him to return to town. Upon reaching home, an official notice demanded Gandhi's immediate departure from Champaran. Defying the order, Gandhi inscribed his refusal on the receipt, resulting in a summons to appear in court the following day.

The subsequent morning, Motihari was teeming with peasants, their presence overwhelming. Thousands voluntarily demonstrated outside the court. Despite the prosecutor's plea for a trial postponement, Gandhi opposed the delay and admitted guilt by reading a statement. Inquiring about the penalty, the judge declared intent to pronounce the sentence post a two-hour recess, requesting bail for that duration. Gandhi, however, declined to furnish bail. Astonishingly, the judge released him without it. Later, after the recess, the judge announced a deferred judgment delivery, allowing Gandhi to remain free in the interim.

Days passed before Gandhi received a letter revealing the dismissal of the case against him. This event marked the triumph of civil disobedience, a historic first in India.

Q3. How did Gandhi work for rural uplift during his stay in Champarant
Ans. Gandhi aimed to tackle the cultural and social backwardness prevalent in Champaran's villages. His call for educators resulted in two of his young disciples, Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh, along with their spouses, offering themselves for this initiative. Additionally, several others from different parts of the country responded. Kasturba Gandhi and Devdas, Gandhi’s youngest son, arrived from the Ashram to support the cause. They established primary schools in six villages. Kasturba emphasized the Ashram’s rules on personal and community cleanliness, engaging with women to address the issue of unclean garments.

The health situation was dire, prompting Gandhi to arrange for a doctor to volunteer for six months. With only three medicines at their disposal—castor oil, quinine, and sulphur ointment—specific treatments were provided based on symptoms. A coated tongue warranted a dose of castor oil, while malaria patients received quinine along with castor oil. Skin eruptions were treated with ointment accompanied by castor oil.

Gandhi's approach went beyond political or economic solutions; he dedicated himself to uplifting villages and marginalized sections of society in their entirety.

Q4. Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence? [All India 2014]
Ans. The Champaran episode initiated as an endeavor to alleviate the hardships of numerous peasants, garnering spontaneous support from thousands. Gandhi asserted that the British had no authority to dictate terms in his homeland. With his leadership, the peasants gained awareness of their rights. Raj Kumar Shukla, a Champaran farmer, played a significant role in facilitating this change. Additionally, other courageous peasants contributed in various ways to the movement, culminating in their victory in the battle of Champaran.

Class 12 English Flamingo Indigo( short questions)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English

Flamingo

Indigo

(Louis Fischer)

Short question answers

Q1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?

Ans: He had traveled all the way to Lucknow to speak with Gandhi from the Champaran district in the Himalayan foothills. Shukla traveled everywhere with Gandhi. Shukla went to the ashram outside of Ahmedabad with him. He never left Gandhi's side for weeks till Gandhi requested a meeting in Calcutta.

Q2. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?

Ans: Gandhi followed Shukla to Rajendra Prasad's residence. Shukla was considered a bad yeoman by the servants. Gandhi wore a basic dhoti as well. He was a peasant's buddy. Gandhi was therefore perceived by the servants as just another villager.

Q3. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?

Ans: The rent that the peasants paid the British landlords was indigo. Germany had now created artificial indigo. Therefore, in exchange for being liberated from the 15 percent deal, the British landlords demanded payment. Because of the synthetic indigo.

Q4. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers?

Ans: Gandhi did not place as much importance on the quantity of the refund as he did on the landlords' forced return of a portion of the money and, along with it, a portion of their status. Thus, he consented to pay the farmers a 25% reimbursement.

Q5.Why do you think Gaffdhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning- point in his life?

Ans: The Champaran incident started out as an effort to lessen the hardships of numerous underprivileged peasants. Thousands of individuals voluntarily offered their support to him. Gandhi acknowledges that his actions were rather routine. He said that he could not be told what to do by the British in his own nation. As a result, he saw the Champaran incident as a life-changing event.

Q6. How did the development of synthetic indigo affect the English estate owners and the Indian tenants?

Ans: The English estate owners realized that growing indigo was becoming unprofitable.They demanded payment from the sharecroppers in exchange for being freed from the 15 percent contract. They got their renters to sign agreements to this effect, and they used deception and criminal extortion to get money.

Q7. Why do you think Gandhi was not permitted to draw water from Rajendra Prasad’s well at Patna?

Ans: Gandhi was perceived by Rajendra Prasad's attendants as just another peasant. They were unaware of him. Whether he was an untouchable or not was a mystery to them. They were worried that a few droplets from his pail could contaminate the entire well. He was therefore forbidden from using the well to get water.

Q8. Why did Gandhi decide to go first to Muzaffarpur before going to Champaran?

Ans: Gandhi desired to get more comprehensive details about the situation than Shukla could provide. Gandhi is briefed by Muzaffarpur lawyers, who often represented peasant groups in court.

Q9. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers? What according to him was the real relief for the sharecroppers?

Ans: Gandhi chastised the attorneys for taking large fees from the underprivileged sharecroppers. He believed that the terrified and downtrodden peasants did not benefit much from bringing such issues before the courts. Gandhi said that being fearless was a relief for them.

Q10. Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?[Delhi 2014]

Ans: Gandhiji believed it was pointless to take the Champaran case to court. Since the peasants won't truly feel relieved until they gain courage. The villagers were utterly terrified.

Q11. What was the “conflict of duties” in which Gandhi was involved?

Ans: First and foremost, he did not want to set a terrible example by breaking the law. Second, he desired to perform the "humanitarian and national service" for which he had traveled. He acknowledged the lawful authorities but ignored the order to depart in order to listen to his conscience.