[Emperor of India Akbar and his son, Prince Salim plus his Queen, the queen’s favourite
female servant, Bahar, and an entourage are going to unveil a new statue which a sculptor of
Akbar’s has sculpted amidst claims that his sculpture is unique and unrivalled in the whole
world. Unknown to them the sculptor has persuaded a dancing girl [Anarkali] at Akbar’s court to pretend
to be a statue!]
Sada kanandah: Jumbish makun! Hoshiyar baash! Zill-e-Ilahi tashreef laa rahay hain!
Bahar: Kaneez ik tajweez pesh karne ki ijazat chahitee hai.
Akbar e Azam: ijazat hai!
Bahar: Afsanon mein hai ke mujassimon ki niqab-kushai’yaan teeron se bhi huwa karti theen!
Akbar: khoob! Tajweez pasand aayee!Shekhu, afsanay haqiqat mein badalaaye jaa sakte hain?
Salim: Zill-e-Ilahi. Hukm ki ta’meel hogi!
[The arrow is fired, unveiling the “statue” (Anarkali)].
Akbar: Subhan Allah! Maaloom hota hai jaisay kissi farishtay ne aasman se utar kar sang e
mar mar mein panaah le lee hai!
Anarkali: kaneez farishta nahin, insaan hai!
Akbar: magar tujhe but ban-ne par kis ne majboor kiya?
Anarkali: aap ki sultanat kay ik ziddi sang-tarash ne,
jo gumnaami kay purdah se baahir aana nahin chahita
Akbar: sang-tarash ka anokha fun yaqeenan daad kay qabil hai! Lekin…teer chalte waqt too
khamosh kyon rahi?
Anarkali: Kaneez dekhna chahiti thi ke afsana haqiqat mein kis tarah badalte hain!
Akbar: Bahut khoob! Hum tere hawsle ki daad dete hain! Rani! Aap isse apni kaneezon mein
dakhil kardiejiye aur hum isse Anarkali ka khitaab ataa karte hain…