Ustad Tafu

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]

Altaf Hussain Tafu
Born
Altaf Hussain Tafu

1945
Lahore, Pakistan
Other namesUstad Tafu, Tafoo
Occupation(s)Musician and film score composer
Years active1970 – present
Notable credit(s)A notable tabla player of Pakistan
A featured artist at Coke Studio (Pakistan)
RelativesSajjad Tafu, Tariq Tafu, Tanveer Hussain
(all Tafu's sons)
AwardsPride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2023

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][3] 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.[4]

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
Song TitleSung byLyrics ByFilm and Year
Suun Wey Balori Akhh Waalia[4]Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Anwara (1970)[1]
Munda Shehr Lahore Da, Meray Dil Te Teer Chalaway[4]Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm 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[4]		Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Sohra Te Jawai (1980)
Dooron Dooron Akhhian Maarey Munda Patwari Da[4]Noor JehanKhawaja Pervezfilm Dubai Chalo (1979)[5]
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 DaNoor JehanBashir Khokharfilm Rab Di Shaan (1970)
Ik Larki Tum Jaisi Khawab Mein Aati RahiA. Nayyar and Babra SharifFayyaz Hashmifilm Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)
Ik Baat Kahun Dildara, Tere Ishq Ne Mujh Ko MaaraA. NayyarFayyaz Hashmifilm Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)
Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Dil Se, Woh Din Aakhri Ho Meri Zindagi KaMehnaz BegumMasroor Anwarfilm Khushboo (1979)
Ki Dam Da Bharosa Yaar, Dam Aaway Na AawayNoor Jehan (Noor Jehan's last song of her singing career)Saeed Gillanifilm Sakhi Badshah (1996)

Awards and recognition

References
  1. Faiza Shah (9 August 2017). "I helped Madam Noor Jehan return to the film industry, says tabla maestro Ustad Tafoo". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. Ustad Tafu profile on Coke Studio (Pakistan) website Retrieved 26 December 2021
  3. Ally Adnan (3 May 2013). "Punjab's own son (Ustad Tafu is among the listed people)". The Friday Times (newspaper). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  4. "Ustad Tafoo profile". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. "THE NIGAR AWARDS 1972 - 1986". The Hot Spot Online website. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  6. "President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Associated Press of Pakistan. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
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