Hunza

Shulay Maraka: Annual Mehfil-e-Mushaira Held in Ganish Hunza

The annual Mehfil-e-Mushahira under title “Shulay Maraka” was held in Ganish in the central Hunza district of Gilgit-Baltistan. A number of famed poets, lyricists and literature enthusiasts participated in the event on a rainy evening in the historic town of Ganish. The event was part of annual celebrations of Karawan-e-Adab, one of the largest and currently operational literary society in the Hunza valley.

Published

3 years ago

July 18, 2016

Imran Ahmed Hunzai

Ustaad Sherbaz Khan Hunzai at Shulay Maraka Mehfil-e-Mushaira in Ganish Hunza

Shulay Maraka Mehfil-e-Mushaira in Ganish Hunza

Burushaski poets reciting their poems at Shulay Maraka held in Ganish, Hunza

The event started with poem recitations by upcoming poets. Later, artists like Sherbaz Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Barcha, Wasim Abbas, Aftab Ilmi, Ikram Najmi, Arif Hussain, Irfan Ali Irfan Hunzai and many others recited their fresh poems and Ghazals.

The program was followed by refreshment for the guests and participating poets. Later, a meeting was held to discuss a formal establishment of a literary society in Hunza to promote Burushaski writers and poets.

Shulay Maraka VideosKutz Kutz Kutz Kutz Bes Meibaan – Zulfiqaar Barcha

Kursi – Wasim Abbas

Videos with thanks to Ikram Najmi of Sujo Hunzo.

Imran Ahmed Hunzai

Imran Hunzai is a Digital Media Consultant and activist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. When free, he likes to travel, do photography and play Rabab. He also runs a HONY inspired blog called Humans of Hunza. Follow him of Twitter @ihunzai.

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In Pictures: His Highness Aga Khan’s First Visit to Hunza in 1960

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2019

Imran Ahmed Hunzai

Photos: Abdul M. Ismaily

On this day in 1960, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan made his historic first visits to Hunza and laid down the foundation of what we know as a model valley today. Since then, Hunza has come a long way and developed into a model valley for many. Every year on 23rd October, Ismailis of Hunza Valley celebrate this day as “Salgirah” to commemorate Aga Khan’s visit to Hunza for the first time.

During the first visit of His Highness Aga Khan to Hunza, photographer Abdul M. Ismaily took numerous photos that remained unseen for decades. However, in 2016, Simerg Photos released a number of pictures of this historic visit with the permission of Abdul M. Ismaily’s family.

On this happy occasion for the Ismailis of Hunza, GBee is pleased to share some of the photographs from Aga Khan’s first visit to Hunza in 1960.

Attached by pulley to the third cable was a wooden box, five feet square, with sides rising 18 inches. This was the only way to Hunza. The five journalists which included two Americans were horrified, and despite urging from Pir Ali Allana, the Aga Khan’s advance man, none would get into the box. Far across the river, men pulled on a rope, and, swaying and shaking, the box shot out over the swift-flowing stream of Hunza River. Today, the Nasirabad Bridge stands in this place.

Ismaili Volunteers with community leaders during the preparations to receive H.H. The Aga Khan at Baltit Polo Ground in Karimabad, Hunza.

*Col. Ayash Khan, the brother of Mir Jamal Khan, the last royal ruler of Hunza,* *is seen standing in a uniform with members of the royal family of Hunza outside the royal palace in Hunza where His Highness the Aga Khan resided during his visit in 1960*.

Aga Khan first visit to Hunza Valley 1960

H.H. Aga Khan in conversation with *Mir of Hunza*.

Ghizer

AKAH Celebrates Global Handwashing Day 2019

Published

4 weeks ago

October 16, 2019

GBee Staff

A Hunza school girl at Al Murtaza School in Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan

AKAH in collaboration with other AKDN and government agencies is campaigning for “Clean Hands for All”. Photo: Imran Hunzai / AKDN

Aga Khan Agency of Habitat (AKAH) in close coordination with other Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies, Government Departments, civil bodies and media groups celebrated Global Handwashing Day 2019.

A number of activities and events were designed and organized at the school level across districts in Gilgit- Baltistan. These activities aimed at campaigning for better hygiene.