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'. 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, as music director, sung by Noor Jehan was featured in the Punjabi movie Anwara (1970). In 1971, one of his hit chartbusters-- Mahi Keh Gaya Milan Ga Main Fer Aa Ke Te Dass Ke Tareekh Na Gaya, was released in the movie Sajawal. Another film song was in the film Sohra Te Jawai (1980), sung by Noor Jehan, lyrics by Khawaja Pervez "Rab jane sahnoon te tu maar suttia". Ustad Tafu 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. Tafu 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 JehanKhawaja Pervez Anwara (1970)Munda Shehr Lahore Da, Meray Dil Te Teer Chalaway Noor Jehan Khawaja Pervez Asghara (1971)Awwal Hamd Sanaey Ilahi Jo Maalik Herr Herr DaInayat Hussain Bhatti 19th century Sufi poet Mian Muhammad BakhshGhunda Act (1979)Rab Jaaney Sahnun Tey Tu Maar Suttia, Phul Pattian Teray Kohlon Mein Duur HowanJehray Din Mein Mar Gai, Meinun Rona Panj DaryawaanNoor JehanKhawaja Pervez Sohra Te Jawai (1980)Dooron Dooron Akhhian Maarey Munda Patwari Da Noor JehanKhawaja Pervez Dubai Chalo (1979)Dil Bhi Dhak Dhak Paey Dhamaalan, Nachhan Lag Paey Saah, Sohnia Teray Jee Sadaqay, Hore Mein Aakhan Ki SadaqayNoor JehanKhawaja Pervez Pehlwan Jee in London (1971)Mein Allharr Punjab Di, Mahia Ghabroo Pakistan Da Noor JehanBashir Khokhar Rab Di Shaan (1970)Meri Vail Di Kameez Ajj Paat Gayee Aey Noor Jehan Khawaja PervezDada (1977)Ik Larki Tum Jaisi Khawab Mein Aati Rahi A. Nayyar and Babra SharifFayyaz Hashmi Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)Ik Baat Kahun Dildara, Tere Ishq Ne Mujh Ko Maara A. NayyarFayyaz Hashmi Khuda Aur Mohabbat (1978)Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Dil Se, Woh Din Aakhri Ho Meri Zindagi Ka Mehnaz Begum Masroor Anwar Khushboo (1979)Bindi Chamkay Paseenay Naal, Tey Phijj Gaey Kundalan Waley WaalNoor JehanKhawaja PervezCharhda Suraj (1982)Sahday Yaar Ne Banh Laey SehrayInayat Hussain Bhatti and Shaukat AliKhawaja PervezCharhda Suraj (1982)Mein Cheez Barri Hoon Mast MastNoor JehanKhawaja PervezMadam Rani (1995)Ki Dam Da Bharosa Yaar, Dam Aaway Na Aaway Noor Jehan (in the last song of her singing career) Saeed Gillani 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.
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