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Hunza Dastaan / ہنزہ داستان
Hunza Dastaan by Mustansar Hussain Tarar
295 pages, Hardcover
About the author
Mustansar Hussain Tarar
97 books474 followersMustansar Hussain Tarar (Urdu: مستنصر حسين تارڑ) is a Pakistani author, actor, the first Morning Show presenter and a pioneer trekker - in his own words: a vagabond.
Having made a name for himself by taking the mantle in Pakistan's mountaineering community, Mustansar Hussain is widely recognized as one of the most well known personalities in Pakistan. Though the origin of his fame is usually considered to be his established and decorated career as a writer, Tarar can also be recognized as the foremost endorser for tourism projects in Northern Areas of Pakistan, having exorbitantly increased the array of tourist exposure to the areas by becoming both a mountaineer and an adventure author who uses these locations as backdrops for his storylines.
Mustansar Hussain's literary proficiency as an author often overshadows the fact that he has been an active mountaineer for a very extensive period of time. Having embarked upon several painstaking and challenging tasks such as the ascension of K-2 and the surpassing of the treacherous "Chitti Buoi" Glacier among others. More significantly, both of Mustansar Hussain's professions often intertwine and relate, since he uses his experiences on his expeditions as travelogues. Though some of his publications have met lukewarm reactions due to supposed exaggeration, he reflects on this predicament with the notion that "words or even pictures cannot successfully express the beauty and splendour of nature in it's true spirit."
Tarar's first book Nikley Teri Talash Main, a travelogue of Europe, was published in 1971. He has so far over forty titles to his credit which include many genres of literature; travelogues, novels, short stories and collection of his newspaper columns and television dramas. He has been one of the best-seller fiction writer of Pakistan.
Mustansar was born in 'Jokalian' a small town in Punjab, Pakistan in March 1939. He spent his early childhood in the village and moved to culturally rich Lahore, witnessed the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and the events that took place at Lahore. His father Rehmat Khan Tarar opened a small seed store there. Mr Tarar got his schooling from Rang Mehal Mission High School and Muslim Model High School, Lahore. He then got admission in Government College Lahore , a college that owns the credit to polish several intellectuals of Pakistan. In 1950's, he went to London for higher studies. In 1957 he attended the World Youth Festival in Moscow and wrote a book named 'Fakhta' (Dove) on that experience. In 1971 his first travelogue Nikley Teri Talaash Main was published. It led to new trend in Urdu literature. He also became a television actor and from 1988 was for many years a host of PTV's live morning transmission Subuh Bakhair (Good Morning). His unconventional and down to earth style of comparing earned him great popularity. He called himself the 'Cha Cha Jee' of all Pakistani children and soon became known by this title.
Awards:
Presidential award of Pride of Performance.
Prime Minister's award for the Best Novelist for "Rakh".
Life time achievement award of Almi Farogh-e-Urdu Adab, Doha (Qatar).
Gold Medal bestowed by Moscow State University for literary achievements.
Having made a name for himself by taking the mantle in Pakistan's mountaineering community, Mustansar Hussain is widely recognized as one of the most well known personalities in Pakistan. Though the origin of his fame is usually considered to be his established and decorated career as a writer, Tarar can also be recognized as the foremost endorser for tourism projects in Northern Areas of Pakistan, having exorbitantly increased the array of tourist exposure to the areas by becoming both a mountaineer and an adventure author who uses these locations as backdrops for his storylines.
Mustansar Hussain's literary proficiency as an author often overshadows the fact that he has been an active mountaineer for a very extensive period of time. Having embarked upon several painstaking and challenging tasks such as the ascension of K-2 and the surpassing of the treacherous "Chitti Buoi" Glacier among others. More significantly, both of Mustansar Hussain's professions often intertwine and relate, since he uses his experiences on his expeditions as travelogues. Though some of his publications have met lukewarm reactions due to supposed exaggeration, he reflects on this predicament with the notion that "words or even pictures cannot successfully express the beauty and splendour of nature in it's true spirit."
Tarar's first book Nikley Teri Talash Main, a travelogue of Europe, was published in 1971. He has so far over forty titles to his credit which include many genres of literature; travelogues, novels, short stories and collection of his newspaper columns and television dramas. He has been one of the best-seller fiction writer of Pakistan.
Mustansar was born in 'Jokalian' a small town in Punjab, Pakistan in March 1939. He spent his early childhood in the village and moved to culturally rich Lahore, witnessed the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and the events that took place at Lahore. His father Rehmat Khan Tarar opened a small seed store there. Mr Tarar got his schooling from Rang Mehal Mission High School and Muslim Model High School, Lahore. He then got admission in Government College Lahore , a college that owns the credit to polish several intellectuals of Pakistan. In 1950's, he went to London for higher studies. In 1957 he attended the World Youth Festival in Moscow and wrote a book named 'Fakhta' (Dove) on that experience. In 1971 his first travelogue Nikley Teri Talaash Main was published. It led to new trend in Urdu literature. He also became a television actor and from 1988 was for many years a host of PTV's live morning transmission Subuh Bakhair (Good Morning). His unconventional and down to earth style of comparing earned him great popularity. He called himself the 'Cha Cha Jee' of all Pakistani children and soon became known by this title.
Awards:
Presidential award of Pride of Performance.
Prime Minister's award for the Best Novelist for "Rakh".
Life time achievement award of Almi Farogh-e-Urdu Adab, Doha (Qatar).
Gold Medal bestowed by Moscow State University for literary achievements.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 8, 2014
The essence of a travelogue is to make a person crave to be at the place whose sketch is being narrated. And MHT made me want to jump at the first prospect of travelling to Hunza and experience the beauty, the simplicity, the awe and the terror that this place has to offer!
Very very interesting read.
Very very interesting read.
June 25, 2020
This travelogue of Hunza, the mountainous valley in Gigit Baltistan region of Pakistan, contains within it, all the beauty, aesthetic and the nostalgia that hold attraction for tourists. The famous Altit Fort, Karimabad, apples, apricots of Hunza, the shining ice wall of the Rakaposhi mountain, passu peak, Gojal valley, Hunza River Khunjerab Pass, the glaciers in Hunza – so many beautiful sights for which this valley has got the name of “Heaven on Earth”
گلگت کی تنہائی، اس کی دور افتادگی اور اُداسی میں ہی اِس کی کشش پنہاں ہے۔
ایک ایسی تہذیب جو کسی حد تک جدیدیت کے رنگ سے بچی ہوئی ہے۔
ایک ایسا گوشہ جس کے چاروں طرف کھڑے پہاڑوں نے پُوری دُنیا کا شوروغل روک رکھا ہے۔
اس کی ہوائیں ازل سے وہی ہیں جو خالق نے زندگی کا سانس دیتے وقت کائنات کو عطا کی تھیں، اِن میں انسانی اور صنعتی آلودگینہیں ہے۔
یہ ایک ایسا قفس ہے جس کے گوشے میں آرام بہت ہے۔ یہاں صرف دریائے گلگت کی ہلکی سی آواز ہے یا باغوں میں چلنے والیہواؤں کی سرسراہٹ ہے۔ اُداسی وہ ہے جو روزِ ازل سے انسان اپنے اندر لئے پھرتا ہے اور یہاں آکر وہ ظاہر ہو جاتی ہے۔
۔۔۔
ہُنزہ روڈ پر ایک کاروان سرائے ... جہاں سیب کے درخت ہیں اور آبشار گرتی ہے۔ گلگت کی نسبت یہاں ہوا مختلف ہے، سیبوںکی خوشبو میں رچی ہوئی، چٹان میں سے گرتے پانی سے نم آلود اور درختوں کی چھاؤں کی وجہ سے قدرے خنک مگر خوشگوار...
گلگت کی تنہائی، اس کی دور افتادگی اور اُداسی میں ہی اِس کی کشش پنہاں ہے۔
ایک ایسی تہذیب جو کسی حد تک جدیدیت کے رنگ سے بچی ہوئی ہے۔
ایک ایسا گوشہ جس کے چاروں طرف کھڑے پہاڑوں نے پُوری دُنیا کا شوروغل روک رکھا ہے۔
اس کی ہوائیں ازل سے وہی ہیں جو خالق نے زندگی کا سانس دیتے وقت کائنات کو عطا کی تھیں، اِن میں انسانی اور صنعتی آلودگینہیں ہے۔
یہ ایک ایسا قفس ہے جس کے گوشے میں آرام بہت ہے۔ یہاں صرف دریائے گلگت کی ہلکی سی آواز ہے یا باغوں میں چلنے والیہواؤں کی سرسراہٹ ہے۔ اُداسی وہ ہے جو روزِ ازل سے انسان اپنے اندر لئے پھرتا ہے اور یہاں آکر وہ ظاہر ہو جاتی ہے۔
۔۔۔
ہُنزہ روڈ پر ایک کاروان سرائے ... جہاں سیب کے درخت ہیں اور آبشار گرتی ہے۔ گلگت کی نسبت یہاں ہوا مختلف ہے، سیبوںکی خوشبو میں رچی ہوئی، چٹان میں سے گرتے پانی سے نم آلود اور درختوں کی چھاؤں کی وجہ سے قدرے خنک مگر خوشگوار...
November 23, 2021
Boht hi khubsurat hamesha ki tarha lekin is mi hoper glacier ka bhi thora travel add kiya jata tw acha tha
July 1, 2024
An average book by Tarar sb. It's more about his travel on road from pindi tio Hunza then about Hunza itself
March 5, 2012
The first book I ever read by Tarrar. A great read.
September 17, 2020
nice book
November 23, 2021
Beautifuli explain ....
October 13, 2025
The way Mustansar sb paints the picture of places is scary good. I read this while I was in Hunza and it made my trip even more incredible.
May 8, 2023
I mean it doesn't need saying, Sir Mustansar's travelogues are always interesting and like they are crafted with perfection. The way he writes about events and the surroundings makes me want to explore the mentioned places myself.
December 18, 2013
When Chacha g was flying with his son towards home, I was in a rush to finish the book as if I was going home. Storytelling at best. My favorite lines from book:
"...We only lose something if it is in our grip, even temporarily - There must be incalculable people who don't have anything to lose in first place -"
"...We only lose something if it is in our grip, even temporarily - There must be incalculable people who don't have anything to lose in first place -"
August 11, 2015
Ahhhh!! What a beautiful depiction. This is my second book of Tarar Sahab and I'm seriously in love with his travelogue style of writing.
And for Hunza: "If you haven't seen Hunza yet, you haven't even been born" (Little modified :P)
That's mean I'm still in hibernation period :D
And for Hunza: "If you haven't seen Hunza yet, you haven't even been born" (Little modified :P)
That's mean I'm still in hibernation period :D
November 8, 2016
I want to visit Hunza now. The journey was depicted beautiful. One feels as if he is travelling alongside the author savouring the breathtaking beauty of the valleys. Must read for all travel freaks!
July 27, 2015
Great and informative travalogue about hunza- the dream land
February 1, 2015
See you soon hunza.:)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews