# Ustad Tafu

Altaf Hussain Tafu Khan (1945 – 26 October 2024), better known as Ustad Tafu or simply Tafoo, was a Pakistani musician from Lahore, known as a 'master tabla player'. He was especially adept at playing the musical instrument tabla. Ustad Tafu was also associated with Coke Studio Pakistan.
Tafu was the father of musicians Tariq Tafu, Tanveer Tafu, and Sajjad Tafu.

## Life and career

Ustad Tafu was born in Lahore, now in Pakistan, to a musician's family, "a part of a musical legacy that spans seven generations." 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, was 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.
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.
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.
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."
Tafu died after a long illness in Lahore, on 26 October 2024, at the age of 79.

## Some of his films as a musician

* Sajawal (1971)
* Ik Madari (1973)
* Wehshi Gujjar (1979)
* Dubai Chalo (1979)
* Sohra Te Jawai (1980)
* Charda Suraj (1982)
* Des Pardes (1983)
* Madam Rani (1995)

## Some of Ustad Tafu's popular songs

| Song Title | Sung by | Lyrics By | Film and Year |
| Suun Wey Balori Akhh Waalia | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film 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 Da | Inayat Hussain Bhatti | 19th century Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh | film 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 Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Sohra Te Jawai (1980) |
| Dooron Dooron Akhhian Maarey Munda Patwari Da | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Dubai Chalo (1979) |
| 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) |
| Meri Vail Di Kameez Ajj Paat Gayee Aey | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Dada (1977) |
| 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) |
| Bindi Chamkay Paseenay Naal, Tey Phijj Gaey Kundalan Waley Waal | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Charhda Suraj (1982) |
| Sahday Yaar Ne Banh Laey Sehray | Inayat Hussain Bhatti and Shaukat Ali | Khawaja Pervez | film Charhda Suraj (1982) |
| Mein Cheez Barri Hoon Mast Mast | Noor Jehan | Khawaja Pervez | film Madam Rani (1995) |
| 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

* Nigar Award for Best Music in film Dubai Chalo (1979)
* Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2023.