The Punjab Gharānā produces Tabla players of exceptional virtuosity, for example, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Last week, I discovered two other greats from Pakistan who are equally awesome: Ustad Tari Khan and Ustad Tafo Khan. Here is a complete list of Pakistani Tabla players from this Gharānā. Having grown up in India, I never heard these artists … until last week.

Excerpt from Tari Khan’s Biography:

Though his father was a first rate singer of North Indian classical music, at six Tari was mesmerized by the tabla playing of Ustad Mian Shaukat Hussain. Over the next eight years, taking every opportunity to hear his idol on TV, in concert or on record, young Tari reached virtuoso level without a teacher—an amazing achievement.

At the end of those eight years, when Shaukat Hussain first heard the 14 year old Tari play, he was shocked: “You’re playing my style!” Then, after a long pause, “I can tell how much you love me. You can come, I will teach you.” So the Ustad became Tari’s guru.

Here are all YouTube Videos of Ustad Tari Khan.

Kayda-Palta in Teental by Tari Khan

A mesmerizing rendition of kayda-palta in Teental.

Solo Recital in Roopak

Solo recital in Roopak. From 5:24 to 6:35 in the video below, Tari Khan plays Jhaptaal (10 beats) in Roopak (7 beats) — quite challenging.

Keherva Variations

Tari Khan showcases the 4-beat rhythm from different parts of the world — quite entertaining.

Ustad Tafo Khan (1945 – )

A brilliant solo performance by Ustad Tafo Khan on Pakistan Television during the late 1980s. The audience comprises of legendary names like Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Parvez Mehdi, Shahida Parveen and so on.

Ustad Ghulam Sajjad “Papu”

Sajjad Ali (1968 — 2008)