Ustad Tafu Explained

Altaf Hussain Tafu
Birth Name:Altaf Hussain Tafu
Alias:Ustad Tafu, Tafoo
Birth Date:1945
Birth Place:Lahore, Pakistan
Occupation:Musician and film score composer
Credits:A notable tabla player of Pakistan
A featured artist at Coke Studio (Pakistan)
Years Active:1970  - present
Relatives:Sajjad Tafu, Tariq Tafu, Tanveer Hussain
(all Tafu's sons)
Awards:Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2023
Nigar Award in 1979

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

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, 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) (2014) 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

Some of Ustad Tafu's popular songs

Song Title Sung by Lyrics By Film and Year
Suun Wey Balori Akhh Waalia Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Anwara (1970)
Munda Shehr Lahore Da, Meray Dil Te Teer Chalaway Noor Jehan Khawaja Pervez film Asghara (1971)
Awwal Hamd Sanaey Ilahi Jo Maalik Herr Herr DaInayat Hussain Bhatti19th century Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhshfilm Ghunda Act (1979)
Rab Jaaney Sahnun Tey Tu Maar Suttia, Phul Pattian Teray Kohlon Mein Duur Howan
Jehray Din Mein Mar Gai, Meinun Rona Panj Daryawaan
Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Sohra Te Jawai (1980)
Dooron Dooron Akhhian Maarey Munda Patwari Da Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Dubai Chalo (1979)[4]
Dil Bhi Dahk Dahk Paey Dhamaalan, Nachhan Lag Paey Saah, Sohnia Teray Jee Sadaqay, Hore Mein Aakhan Ki SadaqayNoor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Pehlwan Jee in London (1971)
Mein Allharr Punjab Di, Mahia Ghabroo Pakistan Da Noor JehanBashir Khokharfilm Rab Di Shaan (1970)
Meri Vail Di Kameez Ajj Paat Gayee Aey Noor Jehan Khawaja Pervezfilm Dada (1977)
Ik Larki Tum Jaisi Khawab Mein Aati Rahi A. Nayyar and Babra Shariffilm Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)
Ik Baat Kahun Dildara, Tere Ishq Ne Mujh Ko Maara A. NayyarFayyaz Hashmi film Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)
Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Dil Se, Woh Din Aakhri Ho Meri Zindagi Ka film Khushboo (1979)
Bindi Chamkay Paseenay Naal, Tey Phijj Gaey Kundalan Waley WaalNoor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Charhda Suraj (1982)
Sahday Yaar Ne Banh Laey SehrayInayat Hussain Bhatti and Shaukat AliKhawaja Pervezfilm Charhda Suraj (1982)
Mein Cheez Barri Hoon Mast MastNoor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Madam Rani (1995)
Ki Dam Da Bharosa Yaar, Dam Aaway Na Aaway Noor Jehan (Noor Jehan's last song of her singing career) Saeed Gillanifilm Sakhi Badshah (1996)

Awards and recognition

Notes and References

  1. News: I helped Madam Noor Jehan return to the film industry, says tabla maestro Ustad Tafoo . 9 August 2017 . Faiza Shah. dead. 23 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211223195509/https://images.dawn.com/news/1178153. Dawn newspaper. 26 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Ustad Tafu profile. https://web.archive.org/web/20230611042648/https://www.cokestudio.com.pk/season7/ustad-tafu.html?WT.cl=1&WT.mn=Artists%20-%20Ustad%20Tafu. 21 August 2024. Coke Studio (Pakistan) website. 11 June 2023. dead.
  3. Web site: Ustad Tafoo profile. 8 July 2017. Pakistan Film Magazine website. dead. 11 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170708123745/http://pakfilms.net/musicians/Tafoo.php.
  4. Web site: THE NIGAR AWARDS 1972 - 1986 . The Hot Spot Online website . https://web.archive.org/web/20080725090554/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/Lollywood/NigarAwards2.htm . 26 December 2021. 2008-07-25 .
  5. News: President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities. Associated Press of Pakistan. The Express Tribune newspaper. 14 August 2022. 21 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230601113433/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2371123/president-confers-pakistan-civil-awards-on-253-personalities. dead. 1 June 2023.