Basir Sultan Kazmi is a UK-based Pakistani poet, creative writer and educationist. Born in Pakistan in 1953, Basir studied and taught English at the Government College, Lahore. He edited "Ravi” magazine in 1974 that is named after the river Ravi that flows to the North-West of the city of Lahore. He went to the UK in 1990 and did his M Ed and M Phil from the University of Manchester. He was the news editor and reader for the BBC’s Asian Programme (1990-91) and a literature adviser to the North-West Arts Board (1993-1996). Basir has taught at a few high schools, colleges and two universities (Bradford and Chester) in the UK. Basir won a North-West Playwrights Workshops Award in 1992. His plays were performed at many Northern theatres. His poem, "Taking Time”, selected by the Poems for the Waiting Room Project (2001), was displayed in UK hospitals and clinics. One of his couplets, with English translation, was carved in stone and installed at McKenzie Square Slough, UK, in 2008. Basir has been awarded an MBE (2013) by the Queen, for Services to Literature as a Poet. Basir’s play "Bisaat” has recently been included in the A Level syllabus. Basir has participated in mushairas in the UK, Pakistan, India, Middle East, Europe, USA and Canada.
He recently came to Qatar on the invitation of Bazm-e-Sadaf International to receive an award in recognition of his meritorious services in the field of literature. On this occasion, his poetry collection published recently in New Delhi was also launched.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Bashir Kazmi spoke about the literary scene in the UK and his achievements. ExcerptscTypeface:>
How would you describe the Urdu literary scene in UK? Can only ‘mushairas’ (poetry recitation session) and some other literary activities are enough for the promotion of Urdu language?
Literary organisations hold events, mainly mushairas, book launches and receptions to honour the visiting writers. Of course, mushairas and literary activities are not enough to promote Urdu but the teaching of this rich and beautiful language at several schools in the UK is helping to promote it. It is offered as a modern language along with other European languages.
Do you agree that mushairas are being commercialised with the passage of time and the selection of those invited is also questionable?
The element of entertainment that had always been a part of mushairas has been growing in recent times. In big mushairas, the majority of audience prefers to hear verses on political/social issues or humorous poetry. Poets invited include established and reputed ones as well as those selected just on the basis of personal contacts with the organisers.
What motivated you towards pursuit of literature?
I was born with a ‘poetic spoon’ in my mouth. My father, Nasir Kazmi (1925-1972), was a famous poet. One day, looking up at some trees while I was four years old I am said to have uttered, "Papa leaves!” According to my father, that was my first poem. Like every child I started with drawing and colouring. I joined the school band and learnt to play on the flute. At eleven, I wrote my first poem. A guest poet recited a poem for children on my favourite radio programme. The rhythm, content and rhyme scheme touched me in such a way that I myself ended up composing a few couplets on a similar pattern. Encouragement from my father and his friends only deepened my creative urge. Besides poetry, I was inspired to write plays and critical articles.
Can you tell us about your publications?
Four collections of my poetry, Mauj-e-Khayal (1997), Chaman Koi Bhi Ho (2009), Hawa-e-Tarab (2015), Chaunsath Khanay Chaunsath Nazmein (2015), a long play Bisaat (1987) and three short plays have been published. All these are included in my collected works Shajar Honay Tak (2015), published in Lahore. Last year (2018), a collection of my poetry was published in New Delhi as ‘Ab Wahan Raat Ho Ga’ee Ho Gi’. English translation of my long play Bisaat was published as The Chess Board (1997) and of poetry as Passing Through (2014). Translations of my ‘ghazals’ and poems have also appeared in many magazines and anthologies of UK. I have also written extensively on the life and poetry of my father Nasir Kazmi.
What is the present state of Urdu in the UK?
Most of the people who use Urdu in their daily life are those who had learnt it before migrating to the UK. Those who were born and brought up here had learnt it at home or in schools for practical purposes only e.g. to communicate with the elders of the family or guests from the Sub-continent, or to get good grades in exams. They mostly communicate in English.
Can you tell us if Europe has produced any notable Urdu poet so far?
Incidentally, the notable Urdu poets who have lived in the European countries and the Americas were not the product of those countries. They had learnt their art at home and made a name in the Sub-continent before migrating to the West.
How would you describe your visit to Qatar?
It has been very rewarding. I’m very grateful to Bazm-e-Sadaf International and its Chairperson Shahabuddin Ahmed for inviting me. It has been a great opportunity to meet the poets and writers from the Sub-continent and members of the local community who are enthusiastically active in promoting Urdu. I was honoured with an award and a collection of my poetry, recently published in New Delhi, was also launched. It was very gratifying to listen to the local poets who are composing good poetry.
What is your impression about the literary forums functioning in Qatar?
I had the pleasure of being a guest on the occasion when Bazm-e-Sadaf International was launched a couple of years ago. In a short period, Bazm has made amazing progress. It not only organizes mushairas and literary events but also publish books of poetry and prose. Ten books were launched on the present occasion. A comparatively much older organisation, Majlis-e-Farogh-e-Urdu Adab is well known for its annual mushairas. Like Bazm-e-Sadaf, Majlis confers awards to recognise the services of poets and writers. I had the pleasure of being invited to their mushaira in 2014, which was very impressive.
He recently came to Qatar on the invitation of Bazm-e-Sadaf International to receive an award in recognition of his meritorious services in the field of literature. On this occasion, his poetry collection published recently in New Delhi was also launched.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Bashir Kazmi spoke about the literary scene in the UK and his achievements. ExcerptscTypeface:>
How would you describe the Urdu literary scene in UK? Can only ‘mushairas’ (poetry recitation session) and some other literary activities are enough for the promotion of Urdu language?
Literary organisations hold events, mainly mushairas, book launches and receptions to honour the visiting writers. Of course, mushairas and literary activities are not enough to promote Urdu but the teaching of this rich and beautiful language at several schools in the UK is helping to promote it. It is offered as a modern language along with other European languages.
Do you agree that mushairas are being commercialised with the passage of time and the selection of those invited is also questionable?
The element of entertainment that had always been a part of mushairas has been growing in recent times. In big mushairas, the majority of audience prefers to hear verses on political/social issues or humorous poetry. Poets invited include established and reputed ones as well as those selected just on the basis of personal contacts with the organisers.
What motivated you towards pursuit of literature?
I was born with a ‘poetic spoon’ in my mouth. My father, Nasir Kazmi (1925-1972), was a famous poet. One day, looking up at some trees while I was four years old I am said to have uttered, "Papa leaves!” According to my father, that was my first poem. Like every child I started with drawing and colouring. I joined the school band and learnt to play on the flute. At eleven, I wrote my first poem. A guest poet recited a poem for children on my favourite radio programme. The rhythm, content and rhyme scheme touched me in such a way that I myself ended up composing a few couplets on a similar pattern. Encouragement from my father and his friends only deepened my creative urge. Besides poetry, I was inspired to write plays and critical articles.
Can you tell us about your publications?
Four collections of my poetry, Mauj-e-Khayal (1997), Chaman Koi Bhi Ho (2009), Hawa-e-Tarab (2015), Chaunsath Khanay Chaunsath Nazmein (2015), a long play Bisaat (1987) and three short plays have been published. All these are included in my collected works Shajar Honay Tak (2015), published in Lahore. Last year (2018), a collection of my poetry was published in New Delhi as ‘Ab Wahan Raat Ho Ga’ee Ho Gi’. English translation of my long play Bisaat was published as The Chess Board (1997) and of poetry as Passing Through (2014). Translations of my ‘ghazals’ and poems have also appeared in many magazines and anthologies of UK. I have also written extensively on the life and poetry of my father Nasir Kazmi.
What is the present state of Urdu in the UK?
Most of the people who use Urdu in their daily life are those who had learnt it before migrating to the UK. Those who were born and brought up here had learnt it at home or in schools for practical purposes only e.g. to communicate with the elders of the family or guests from the Sub-continent, or to get good grades in exams. They mostly communicate in English.
Can you tell us if Europe has produced any notable Urdu poet so far?
Incidentally, the notable Urdu poets who have lived in the European countries and the Americas were not the product of those countries. They had learnt their art at home and made a name in the Sub-continent before migrating to the West.
How would you describe your visit to Qatar?
It has been very rewarding. I’m very grateful to Bazm-e-Sadaf International and its Chairperson Shahabuddin Ahmed for inviting me. It has been a great opportunity to meet the poets and writers from the Sub-continent and members of the local community who are enthusiastically active in promoting Urdu. I was honoured with an award and a collection of my poetry, recently published in New Delhi, was also launched. It was very gratifying to listen to the local poets who are composing good poetry.
What is your impression about the literary forums functioning in Qatar?
I had the pleasure of being a guest on the occasion when Bazm-e-Sadaf International was launched a couple of years ago. In a short period, Bazm has made amazing progress. It not only organizes mushairas and literary events but also publish books of poetry and prose. Ten books were launched on the present occasion. A comparatively much older organisation, Majlis-e-Farogh-e-Urdu Adab is well known for its annual mushairas. Like Bazm-e-Sadaf, Majlis confers awards to recognise the services of poets and writers. I had the pleasure of being invited to their mushaira in 2014, which was very impressive.