Question

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 
His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements - or so his critics felt. He composed several truly original 'story poems' in folk refrain and diction and also wrote a sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with dozens of very deftly etched characters. He quite successfully recreated the mood and manner of the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was an amazing actor—he never aspired to the lead roles—but whatever subsidiary role he played in any of the films, he performed better than the supposed main players. He had a genuine love for anyone he came across and his house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations and acquaintances.
Name the chapter and the writer :

• A. The Interview : Part I : Christopher Silvester
• B. Poets \& Pancakes : Asokamitran
• C. The Interview : Part II : An Interview with Umberto Eco
• D. The Rattrap : Selma Lagerlof

Hint:

When identifying chapters from passages, look for key contextual clues: Gemini Studios, Tamil film industry, Madras, specific literary works like "Thillana Mohanambal" — these point to "Poets and Pancakes" by Asokamitran.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Identify key details from the passage.
The passage discusses a personality who had success in films, wrote "story poems" in folk refrain and diction, and authored a novel called {Thillana Mohanambal}. It mentions his acting skills in subsidiary roles and his recreation of the Devadasis' mood and manner from the early 20th century.
Step 2: Recall the context from the chapter "Poets and Pancakes".
The chapter "Poets and Pancakes" by Asokamitran is about his experiences at the Gemini Studios in Chennai (then Madras). It discusses various personalities associated with the film industry, including the writer who is being described in this passage.
Step 3: Identify the personality being described.
The person described in the passage is the renowned Tamil writer, poet, and actor Kalki Krishnamurthy, who was associated with the Tamil film industry and literary world. The novel {Thillana Mohanambal} is indeed a famous work by him.
Step 4: Analysis of each option.

• (a) The Interview : Part I : Christopher Silvester: Incorrect. This chapter deals with interviews and notable interviewees, not with film personalities or Tamil literature.
• (b) Poets \& Pancakes : Asokamitran: Correct.} This chapter from the NCERT English textbook contains this passage describing a multi-talented personality from the Gemini Studios era.
• (c) The Interview : Part II : An Interview with Umberto Eco: Incorrect. This chapter features an interview with the famous Italian writer and scholar Umberto Eco.
• (d) The Rattrap : Selma Lagerlof: Incorrect. This is a story about a rattrap seller and does not relate to films or Tamil literature.

Step 5: Conclusion.
The passage is an excerpt from the chapter "Poets and Pancakes" written by Asokamitran, which appears in the NCERT English textbook for Class 12 (Flamingo). It describes a versatile personality from the Tamil film and literary world. Final Answer:} (b) Poets \& Pancakes : Asokamitran