Ustad Tafu
Altaf Hussain Tafu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Altaf Hussain Tafu 1945 |
| Other names | Ustad Tafu, Tafoo |
| Occupation(s) | Musician and film score composer |
| Years active | 1970 – present |
| Notable credit(s) | A notable tabla player of Pakistan A featured artist at Coke Studio (Pakistan) |
| Relatives | Sajjad Tafu, Tariq Tafu, Tanveer Hussain (all Tafu's sons) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2023 |
Altaf Hussain Tafu Khan (born 1945), better known as Ustad Tafu or simply Tafoo, is a Pakistani musician from Lahore, Pakistan known as a 'master tabla player'. Ustad Tafu is especially adept at playing the musical instrument Tabla . Ustad Tafu has also been associated with Coke Studio in Pakistan.[1][2]
He is the father of musicians Tariq Tafu, Tanveer Tafu, and Sajjad Tafu.
Early life and career[edit]
Ustad Tafu was born in Lahore, Pakistan to a musician's family, "a part of a musical legacy that spans seven generations."[2] Tafu started his career in 1970 when his first film song, Sunn wey balori akhh waaliya as music director, sung by Noor Jehan was featured in movie Anwara (1970). In the following year 1971, one of his hit chartbusters-- Mahi Keh Gaya Milan Ga Main Fer Aa Ke Te Dass Ke Tareekh Na Gaya, released in movie Sajawal. Another film song was in film Sohra Te Jawai (1980), sung by Noor Jehan, lyrics by Khawaja Pervez "Rab jane sahnoon te tu maar suttia". Ustad Tafu has composed music for over 100 films and has worked with music artists such as Noor Jehan, Shaukat Ali, Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Naheed Akhtar and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.[3]
Ustad Tafu showcased his tabla playing skills at the Coke Studio Pakistan (season 7) along with musicians Bilal Maqsood and the Pakistani pop rock music group Strings (band).[2]
In 2017, Ustad Tafu claimed in an interview that he first introduced Naseebo Lal as a playback singer in the Pakistani film industry. He also comes from an extended family of film score composers – Master Inayat Hussain being his maternal cousin.[1]
In 2018, Ustad Tafu also appeared on Adil Omar's album Transcendence as an arranger, percussionist and playing harmonium for "We Need to Talk About Adil."
Some of his films as a musician[edit]
- Sajawal (1971)
- Ik Madari (1973)
- Wehshi Gujjar (1979)[1]
- Dubai Chalo (1979)[4]
- Sohra Te Jawai (1980)
- Charda Suraj (1982)
- Des Pardes (1983)
- Madam Rani (1995)
Some of Ustad Tafu's popular songs[edit]
| Song Title | Sung by | Lyrics By | Film and Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suun Wey Balori Akhh Waalia[3] | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Anwara (1970)[1] |
| Munda Shehr Lahore Da, Meray Dil Te Teer Chalaway[3] | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Asghara (1971)[1] |
| Rab Jaaney Sahnun Tey Tu Maar Suttia, Phul Pattian Teray Kohlon Mein Duur Howan Jehray Din Mein Mar Gai, Meinun Rona Panj Daryawaan[3] |
Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Sohra Te Jawai (1980) |
| Dooron Dooron Akhhian Maarey Munda Patwari Da[3] | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Dubai Chalo (1979)[4] |
| Dil Bhi Dahk Dahk Paey Dhamaalan, Nachhan Lag Paey Saah, Sohnia Teray Jee Sadaqay, Hore Mein Aakhan Ki Sadaqay | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Pehlwan Jee in London (1971) |
| Mein Allharr Punjab Di, Mahia Ghabroo Pakistan Da | Noor Jehan | Bashir Khokhar | film Rab Di Shaan (1970) |
| Ik Larki Tum Jaisi Khawab Mein Aati Rahi | A. Nayyar and Babra Sharif | Fayyaz Hashmi | film Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978) |
| Ik Baat Kahun Dildara, Tere Ishq Ne Mujh Ko Maara | A. Nayyar | Fayyaz Hashmi | film Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978) |
| Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Dil Se, Woh Din Aakhri Ho Meri Zindagi Ka | Mehnaz Begum | Masroor Anwar | film Khushboo (1979) |
| Ki Dam Da Bharosa Yaar, Dam Aaway Na Aaway | Noor Jehan (Noor Jehan's last song of her singing career) | Saeed Gillani | film Sakhi Badshah (1996) |
Awards and recognition[edit]
- Nigar Award for Best Music in film Dubai Chalo (1979)[4]
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2023.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Faiza Shah (9 August 2017). "I helped Madam Noor Jehan return to the film industry, says tabla maestro Ustad Tafoo". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Ustad Tafu profile on Coke Studio (Pakistan) website Retrieved 26 December 2021
- ^ a b c d e "Ustad Tafoo profile". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "THE NIGAR AWARDS 1972 - 1986". The Hot Spot Online website. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities". The Express Tribune newspaper. Associated Press of Pakistan. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
External links[edit]
- Ustad Tafu at IMDb
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- Tabla players
- Pakistani percussionists
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- 1945 births
- Pakistani composers
- Pakistani film score composers
- Nigar Award winners
- Coke Studio (Pakistani TV program)
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