Daily Times

Abridged version of a four-act play in Urdu language titled ‘Bisaat’ (chess board) translated in English by the author Basir Sultan Kazmi with poet Simon Fletcher, titled “Check Mate” has been published by Afzaal Ahmad of Sang-e-Meel Publications, Lahore recently.

Interestingly this edition also includes a transliteration in Roman script for the consumption of those who cannot read Urdu script but understand Urdu (as Hindi language). This edition has specially been prepared to benefit GCSE and A level students in UK. For that matter alone, it is an honour for a Pakistani born Brit to have achieved this status.

Basir Sultan Kazmi is the recipient of the Member of the most excellent order of the British Empire from the Queen of England. Incidentally the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Basir was born in Lahore in 1953 and is the elder son of the famous poet Nasir Kazmi (1925 – 1972).As an outstanding student at Government College, Lahore he taught English there and was secretary of the Students Union as well as the editor of its magazine ‘Ravi’ (1974). He did his M. Ed (1991) and M. Phil (2000) from Manchester University and PGCE English (1995). He has read his poetry practically all over the world. Basir won a North West Playwrights Award in 1992. His poem ‘Taking Time’ selected by the Poems for Waiting Room Project (2001) was displayed in UK hospitals and clinics. One of his couplets with English translation ‘the true-hearted can settle, no matter which land/a flower wants to bloom where ever its garden’ was carved in stone and installed at McKenzie Square, Slough, UK in 2008.

Simon Fletcher, on the other hand is a widely published poet and writer. He lives in Shropshire, England. He is the manager of Arts Council England and has won many prizes and awards. His poetry is broadcast on BBC Radio Shropshire and the BBC Asian networks.

The contents of the play must have been strong as this book has been made part of Advanced Level Curriculum in the United Kingdom. That calls for giving a gist of the four-act play. Saarib, the main character is Zohra’s son and his father had died leaving them with a small garden

The contents of the play must have been strong as this book has been made a part of Advanced Level Curriculum in the United Kingdom. That calls for giving a gist of the four-act play. Saarib, the main character is Zohra’s son and his father had died leaving them with a small garden. In the scene one of Act one, Zohra argues with Saarib to get a decent job. In scene two, Saarib complains to his friend Shahab about the disparity among people. Scene 3 establishes Safwan’s palace, the absolute ruler of the state. He receives Raakif, the advisor. He confides that Shazra, her daughter shall only accept the hand in marriage of a person who beats her at chess. In scene one of Act 2, Shazra discloses to her maid that she would marry a person who is equal in intellect with her whether from elite or from masses. In scene 2, Saarib confides in Shahab that he desires to excel in playing chess. In scene 3, Shazra is asked by the ruler and adviser to convince them of her decision. Raakif gets convinced and advises the ruler Safwan that Shezra needed to get exposed to the practical world and her desire be met with.

First scene of Act 3 comprises visit of Prince Saroj to Princess Shazra who is practicing with her female servants. He seems perturbed over Shezra’s desire to select her beau that beats her in the game of chess. Prince reminds Shezra that if she marries her she would not only be the Queen of his country but also master of his heart. Princess argues back that she was already the Queen-to-be of her country. Anyhow Prince leaves with the promise to wait for her decision in his favour. Scene 2 of Act 3 is visit of Gohar, Saarib’s friend who had returned after having lost to the Princess in the game. Saarib though decides to go for the contest but is skeptical that he would become a prisoner in the palace if he wonand would lose the carefree life that he was used to nowadays.

Act 4 gives the details of the game of chess played between the princess and Saarib. In between he goes to sleep, perhaps having been drugged in his drink by some conspirator. He thought that he had lost but the princess tells him to the contrary, when he wakes up. The conversation among servants during the time Saarib is unconscious is interesting.

Servant B: Fainting due to fear is one thing and being knocked out due to intoxication is another (Pause). He was winning, clearly (Pause).

Servant C: I know nothing of this game. I don’t know how it is lost or won. Servant B: But you are quite familiar with that bigger game, of which this game is a part.

Servant C: Only this much that my position in it is that of a pawn. A pawn which can move only one square ahead, never to retreat; which is removed from the board owing to the slightest hope or unknown apprehensions; or merely to clear the way for other pieces.

When Saarib begs leave, Shezra removes her crown and places it on the chess board.

This play gives details of all the movements, pauses and expressions in dialogues. In comments titled ‘Winner takes nothing’, critic M Saleemur Rahman comments in a local daily, “The problems which the characters face and animatedly debate, the values they cherish and the solutions they desire reflect, in essence the predicaments of present day Pakistani society. There are some who are obsessed with power, wealth and status. On the other hand are the people who do not wish to lord it over their fellow beings and are primarily interested in understanding themselves as well as others. Can we be happier if we have more of everything? Do things lose their charm once we get them? The continuous debate, overpoweringly intellectual, is meaningful and do not end up in clever rhetoric. There are some shred remarks and sharp observations.”

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com