This academic assignment by Dr. Dilip P. Barad, I am exploring Javed Akhtar’s philosophical poem, "Yeh Khel Kya Hai." Using the critical lens of I. A. Richards, I will perform a close reading of the poem’s figurative language specifically its powerful chess metaphor to uncover its deeper commentary on life, rules, and social injustice.
In this poem, Javed Akhtar uses the image of a Chessboard (Shatranj) to criticize modern politics, war, and the unfair rules of society.
1. The Central Metaphor: The Board as the World
The poem starts with a simple scene: two people playing chess. However, using a metaphor, the poet transforms the board into a representation of the real world.
Hindi Line: "Safed-khanon, siyah-khanon mein rakkhe, kaale safed mohron ko dekhta hoon..."
English: "I look at the black and white pieces, placed on the black and white squares..."
How the Figurative Language Works:
- The Image: A chessboard with black and white squares.
- The Real Meaning: The world is divided into binaries—Good vs. Evil, Us vs. Them, Rich vs. Poor.
- The Explanation: The poet is staring at the board, paralyzed. He realizes that if this is just a game of wooden toys, winning or losing doesn't matter. But if it is real, then the stakes are life and death. This creates tension—he is forced to play a game that feels dangerously like reality.
2. Game vs. War (Ambiguity and Irony)
Richards often spoke about how words change meaning based on context. Here, the poet plays with the definition of "Game" (Khel) vs. "War" (Jung).
Hindi Line: "Ye jang hai jis mein sab hai jaez... Ye jang hai par khilaadiyon ki."
English: "This is a war where everything is allowed (fair)... This is a war, but only for the players."
How the Figurative Language Works:
- The Conflict: A "Game" is supposed to have rules and be fun. A "War" is destructive.
- The Explanation: The poet uses irony. He realizes that for the "Players" (the Politicians/Rulers), war is just a game—a strategy to win power. But for the "Pieces" (the Soldiers/Citizens), it is a real war where they die. The ambiguity of the word "Khel" exposes the cruelty of the leaders who treat human lives like plastic tokens.
3. The Value of Life (Symbolism)
The poem critiques the class system by assigning different values to different chess pieces. This is a classic use of symbolism.
Hindi Line: "Ki koi mohra rahe ki jaaye, magar jo hai Baadshah, us par kabhi koi aanch bhi na aaye."
English: "Whether a piece lives or dies (doesn't matter), but the King—no harm should ever come to him."
How the Figurative Language Works:
- The Symbol: The "Baadshah" (King) represents the Ruler/Elite. The "Mohra" (Piece) represents the common citizen.
- The Explanation: The poet is questioning the morality of a system where the "King" is the most useless piece (he can barely move), yet thousands of active, hardworking pieces are sacrificed just to save him. The figurative language highlights the injustice of hierarchy—why is one life worth more than another?
4. The Tragedy of the Common Man (The Pawn)
The most painful imagery in the poem is reserved for the "Piyaada" (The Pawn).
Hindi Line: "Piyaada jo apne ghar se nikle, palat ke wapas na aane paaye."
English: "The pawn, once he leaves his home, can never return."
How the Figurative Language Works:
- The Image: In chess, a pawn can only move forward; it can never retreat.
- The Real Meaning: This represents the soldier sent to the border, or the migrant worker who leaves his village to build a city.
- The Explanation: The poet uses the "rules" of chess to show the helplessness of the poor. The "Vazeer" (Minister/Queen) has the freedom to move anywhere (privilege), but the common man is trapped in a one-way journey. He is forced to march toward his death because the "rules" say he cannot go back home.
5. The Refusal to Play (The Climax)
The poem ends without the poet making a move. His hesitation is his rebellion.
Hindi Line: "Agar yahi hai usool... to phir ye khel kya hai?"
English: "If these are the rules... then what is this game?"
How the Figurative Language Works:
- The Question: He questions the structure of the metaphor itself.
- The Explanation: By refusing to move his piece, the poet breaks the illusion. He realizes that the only way to win a rigged game is not to play. The "Opponent" (The Dictator/System) is waiting for him to participate, but by questioning the rules, the poet reclaims his agency.
Summary
Javed Akhtar takes the chessboard—a symbol often associated with intelligence and strategy—and turns it into a symbol of oppression.
- The King is the protected Elite.
- The Queen/Minister is the privileged class with freedom.
- The Pawn is the trapped citizen. The figurative language works by showing us that the "rules" we follow in society are just as arbitrary and unfair as the rules of chess, yet we play along as if they are nature's law.
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