مستنصر حسین تارڑ کے سفرنامے ”نکلے تیری تلاش میں“ میں افسانوی و رومانوی جہات: جمالیاتی و تہذیبی مطالعہ

Fictional and Romantic Dimensions in Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s Travelogue Niklai Teri Talash Mein: A Study of Aesthetic and Cultural Expression

Abstract

Mustansar Hussain Tarar, one of the most celebrated figures in modern Urdu prose, has revolutionized travel writing by transforming it into a fusion of fiction, philosophy, and aesthetics. His travelogue “Niklai Teri Talash Mein” stands as a hallmark of this creative transformation, representing not merely geographical exploration but an inner, spiritual journey. The title of the book, taken from Allama Iqbal’s verse “Niklai Teri Talash Mein Qafila-e-Rang-o-Boo”, symbolically defines the core of Tarar’s literary quest — the search for self, love, and divine truth. This travelogue, composed of twenty-eight chapters encompassing journeys across seventeen countries, transcends the boundaries of factual narration through its poetic and fictional tone. Tarar’s vivid imagery, painterly descriptions, and emotional depth elevate his prose to the level of aesthetic art. His characters — Rebecca, Pascal, Margarita, and Irene — are not mere travel companions but allegories of human emotions, attachment, and longing. The travelogue’s romantic and imaginative elements blur the line between reality and fiction, creating a narrative closer to a novel than a conventional travel record. Niklai Teri Talash Mein thus emerges not only as a travelogue but as a creative universe of fiction, feeling, and philosophy — where Tarar’s artistic vision turns each scene into a living experience. The work’s lasting appeal among the new generation lies in its romantic expressiveness, imaginative freedom, and poetic beauty that continue to captivate readers, bridging the worlds of literature, travel, and human experience