Recognising services: After 40 years, a guitarist is recognised

Composer Sajjad Tafu to be awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz this Pakistan Day.

LAHORE: In a first, the country will award its medal of excellence (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz) to a guitarist this Pakistan Day.

Sajjad Tafu, a legendary composer from the famous ‘Mozang Gharana’ of musicians, will be conferred the fourth-highest civilian decoration for his services in the Pakistani music and film industry. He is the son of famous tabla player Ustad Altaf Husain Tafu.

Sajjad entered the film industry at the age of 14 in 1974 and has lent his music to more than 2,000 films. His talent first came to the fore after his performance in Mehdi Hassan’s famous song “Pyar Bharay Do Sharmilay Nain”. He gained popularity as a solo guitarist from the film Bandish’s song “Sona Na Chandi Na Koi Mahal Janeman”.

In his 40-year career, Sajjad has worked with almost all renowned singers, actors and musicians of the local industry including Robin Ghosh, Nisar Bazmi, Abdul Hameed, M Ashraf, Khawaja Khurshid Anwar, Amjad Bobby, Mehdi Hassan and Noor Jehan. He has performed in the US, UK, Singapore, Norway, Sweden, Holland and Denmark. The credit of launching Pakistan’s first instrumental album also goes to Sajjad when he launched his first album “Sufi Saga”.

Last week, after the government announced Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for Sajjad, The Express Tribune got an opportunity to talk with the legendary guitarist.“Like any other musician, I went through a dark period, but guitar was my passion and I continued playing it as a teacher at Alhamra,” he said, adding that finally his services of 40 years would be recognised.

“My father taught me tabla but I was interested in guitar from the beginning,” he recalled.

“After the golden period of the film industry was over, my first priority became earning for food,” Sajjad said. “I started teaching guitar to the students at Alhamra and have taught around 3,000 students.” He added that while guitarists could be seen on every street, hotel and club in the world, the situation was different in Pakistan. “We have not developed a single music institution with only Alhamra in Lahore standing out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2015.