A plethora of talented singers and musicians from different South Asian countries alongside popular Pakistani folk singer Tariq Tafu are all set to wow the local audience at a musical extravaganza.
The cultural event, organised by Punjab Music Group (PMG), will be held on March 31 at Sheraton Doha Hotel.
Tariq Tafu, the son of legendary tabla (drums) player and music composer Altaf Hussain Tafu, and better known as Ustad Tafu, has carved a name for himself in Pakistan’s folk music scene with a number of hit songs.
Like his father who is known for his unmatched contributions to Pakistan’s music industry, Tariq has quickly emerged as a crowd-puller and a great entertainer in Pakistan’s folk music scene. Coming from the capital city of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Lahore, Tariq is best known for his popular Punjabi song, Lahore Lahore Aey (Lahore is Lahore).
Tafu started his music career at the age of 7. With a typical voice of a folk singer and great command over traditional music, he quickly attracted attention and a great fan base in Pakistan.
He composed music for and sang alongside legendary singers such as late Madam Noor Jehan. He has a melodious voice and inherited the knack for playing different kinds of musical instruments from his father.
Tariq has toured different countries of the world with his music concerts. Besides singing, Tariq is also active in discovering and developing raw talent through his music school, Tafu Khan Music College. At the college, his team comprises music industry’s top professionals who guide and mentor the rising singers.
His father, Ustad Tafu, also teaches music and vocals to young singers at the college. Tariq is also known for his catchy music videos that accompany his songs. For lyrics, he says, he approaches the top lyricist and poets of the country such as Ali Kashmiri, Amjad Islam Amjad, Khawaja Pervez and Saghar Ahmad.
He says he tries to do justice to every song and some of his songs were written by famous poet, late Qateel Shifai. The secret of success, Tariq believes, lies in the giving respect to seniors so that you can learn from them.
He does not sing classical music, but believes that it forms the base. Besides music, the singer is also actively involved in relief and welfare work with Sahara Foundation of singer-turned-politician Abrar-ul-Haq.
Alongside Tafu, the other singers and musicians performing at Sheraton on March 31 include Razwan Bobby Sarwar, a Qatar-based UK expatriate. He is a pianist, a music composer and the head of Music at Pre-Prep Sherborne.
Sarwar recently composed a song Mere Ho Tum (You are mine), which is being heard and played all over the world. Sarwar is all set to bring his own distinct style the event.
The music fest will also feature young singer Danish Asif Ali. He has appeared in popular Sa Re Ga Ma Chote Ustad TV show as a young singer and nowadays performs on Pakistan Television. Ali has released many albums and promises to mesmerise the audience with his voice.
Hina Ali, a talented TV singer, is also looking forward to performing at the event. Starting her musical journey at a very early age, Hina has already performed at different venues across South Asia.
The event will also feature local artists from Doha and members of the Punjab Music Group. The chief organiser of the music fest, Nazakat Ali Khan, promises it to be an unforgettable night of music with singers coming from India, Pakistan and Nepal. He says people from all communities will enjoy the show.
Punjab Music Group has been organising musical events and cultural shows for South Asian communities in Doha for the past 10 years and has established a name for itself.