Class 10 English Patol Babu Summary and Important Questions

Ans. Patol Babu is was an amateur actor in the golden days of his life. He used to act on stage in Jatras, in amateur theatricals, in plays up by the club in his neighborhood; Patol Babu was always in demand. His name had appeared in handbills on countless occasions. Once it appeared in bold type near the top : 'Sitalaknaato Ray (Patol Babu) in the role of Parasar'. Indeed, there was a time when people bought tickets especially to see him. Patol Babu wanted to revive those times at least partly and still wanted to be recognized as a brilliant actor. He also remembered his mentor - Mr. Gogon Pakrashi's advice. Mr. Pakrashi used to say that however small part an actor may be offered he should try and extract meaning out of every word. He also said that an actor should know how to extract meaning out of each word and expression and present it in front of the audience. Patol Babu respected his mentor and took his advice. The desire to live up to his old fame and his mentor's advice made him take up a small walk-on part in a movie as a challenge. He took up that small movie part with a single-word dialogue as a challenge. Therefore it can be rightly said that Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge.

Ans. I agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer. The reasons for this are-

• He did not take up acting on stage as a full time career as it was not sufficient to fulfill his need. He worked in a railway factory in Kanchrapara for a living because it was practical.

• He moved to Calcutta in 1934 to take up a job with Hudson and Kimberley because he was offered a better pay. Hence he took up what life offered him.

• He thought about starting a club in his neighborhood only after he was financially comfortable since it is practical to pursue a hobby only after the basic needs are taken care of.

• He stopped even thinking about acting when he lost his job. He was practical and put in his efforts to make a living. He struggled because that is what life offered him after he lost his job due to recession.

Ans. Patol Babu had played his small role perfectly and was very satisfied and happy about it. He found the satisfaction of earning twenty rupees very small in comparison; when he compared it with the satisfaction he drew out of his performance. Patol Babu walked away before he can be paid for his role because he felt the value of money was small and insignificant in comparison to the immense satisfaction he enjoyed by carrying out his job with perfection and dedication. He did not wish to sell this satisfaction so did not accept money for it and walked away. This reveals that Patol Babu was sincere and dedicated to his passion of acting. He had values in life which he did not compromise even with his need for money. It shows his strength of character.

 

Ans. It is not easy to make movies. There are many people who contribute in making a movie and all of them have to do their part well to make it a success. The references below reveal that every small detail is taken care of while making a movie. There are many references to it in the story as :

• Naresh Dutt went all the way to use the service of a person who had already acted on stage and resembled a particular character in the story. He did it for a small part with just a single word dialogue - Oh.

• Many people worked on the set to make it a success. There were different people to work on different aspects of film making as director, assistants, lighting, carrying equipment, sound recording, make-up, Dialogues, camera men, hiring people and making payments etc.

• In movie-making the entire unit acts promptly. For example, when the director calls for silence everyone becomes quiet, when he asked for a moustache the make-up man had many types ready, when Naresh Dutt asked for a pen he immediately got one and the light-men, camera-men and sound recording men were always on their toes and worked very promptly.

• The director Baren Mullick heard Patol Babu's Suggestion for reading a newspaper at the time of his collision with the hero. He found it useful so agreed to it. In film making the director is not rigid and he is open to suggestions which he finds can improve the scenes.

• Patol Babu suggested a rehearsal but Baren Mullick refused because he saw a cloud approaching the sum. He knew he had to finish shooting the film scene before it covered the sun and cast a shadow.

• The director decided at the last minute that a moustache would make Patol Babu's role more appealing so he asked the make-up man for a moustache and even told him what type of moustache could appear better.

 

Ans. Very punctual-always on time at work and for the shoot. Unassuming and modest, very thrilled at learning of opportunity, felt such an opportunity beyond wildest dream. Talented actor in the pastpeople had bought tickets to see him act. Practical-decides to make the most of a tiny film role and practises hard. Diligent and hard working-wants rehearsals. Creative person-does not wait to be paid because of creative satisfaction.

 

Ans. 15 May xxxx

Dear Nishikanto,

Expressing gratitude for recommending me to Naresh Dutt-opportunity of a lifetime revived memories of youth-had been full of struggle-so no time for acting-though role had been small and the dialogue only one word, very satisfying-after years felt deep contentment and joy-hope more such opportunities come my way.