Mustansar Hussain Tarar (Urdu:مستنصر حسين تارڑ;Mustanṣar Ḥusẹ̄n Tāraṙ)S.I. (born 1 March 1939) is a Pakistaniauthor, travel enthusiast, mountaineer, writer, novelist, columnist,TV host and former actor.[1]
Mustansar Hussain Tarar was born inJokalian on 1 March 1939[2] into aTararJat family.[3] His father, Rehmat Khan Tarar, operated an agricultural seed store by the name of "Kisan & Company" that flourished and became a major business in that field.[4][failed verification]
Tarar was educated at Rang Mahal Mission High School andMuslim Model High School, both inLahore, Pakistan.[5] He pursued higher studies atGovernment College, Lahore and in London.[5] While abroad, he spent much of his time watching movies, hanging out with friends and reading books. In 1958, he attended the World Youth Festival in Moscow and wrote a book namedFakhta (Urdu. "Dove") based on his experience.[5][6]
He has written more than 75 books, including novels and travelogues, not mentioning his collection of short stories.[3]His first book was a travelogue of Europe published in 1971 by the title ofNiklay Teri Talaash Main (1970), dedicated to his youngest brother, Mobashir Hussain Tarar.[3] This followed a period during which he travelled in seventeen European countries, and spearheaded a new trend of travelogues in Urdu literature. So far he has over forty travelogues ('Safar Nama' inUrdu) to his credit.[3][5]
He also became a television actor and was, for many years, a host ofPakistan Television Corporation's (PTV)live morning showSubah Bakhair (1988) (Good Morning).[1] His unconventional and down-to-earth style of hosting earned him great popularity among people from all circles of life. He is one of the most recognised personality among Pakistani children as he spent a big part of transmission time addressing children exclusively. He called himselfchacha jee (paternal uncle) of all Pakistani children and soon became known by this title.
Shadi Online was a matrimonial show conceived by a private TV channel (Geo TV). It ran for more than 350 episodes and later was turned into an online matrimonial website. Tarar was selected as the host due to the trust of people, especially parents, had in him.[3]
An autograph by Mustansar Hussain
Tarar has been an active mountaineer for many years and has been to the base camp of theK2, the world's second highest mountain, and theChitti Buoi Glacier.[5]
During his long career, he has been a newspaper columnist and a contributor to Pakistani newspapers includingDawn and Daily Aaj, and used to write a weekly column forAkhbar-e-Jahan.[5]
Andulus Mayn Ajnabi(اندلس میں اجنبی) (Stranger in Spain) (ISBN No:9693515471, Publisher:SMP, Language:URDU, Category:SAFAR NAMA Year: 2009) First published in 1972[3][7]
Bay Izti Kharab(بے عزتی خراب)(Insulting dishonor) – This phrase is deliberately wrong and commonly used this way in local communities, thus the book name[3]
Pakistan Academy of Letters PAL nominated him in 2022 forKamal-e-Fun Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) shared withAshu Lal Faqeer, but he refused to take the 'half award'.
Prime Minister's Literary Award in 1999 for his novel Rakh.
Gold Medal from Moscow State University
Tarar also remained 'Pakistan's most popular personality' for 2 years consecutively in the 1990s.
