BIOGRAPHY
The moment we talk of Ghazals and the subtleties of Ghazal-gayaki, we can't help but be reminded of Tauseef Akhtar - the most untiring, sincere and effective current generation crusader of Ghazals and a charming role-model for young-gen! Tauseef is a Ghazal artiste seeped in the finest appreciation of Urdu Shayari and understanding of the correct talaffuz and delicate pronunciation of the beautiful Urdu language. It is Tauseef Akhtar who has conceived and attempted to amalgamate the traditional art-style of Ghazal-singing with contemporary arrangements and bring to today's generation the introduction and experience of wonderful ghazal through his presentation.​
Blessed with a remarkable stage-presence Tauseef Akhtar naturally draws the listener to his sweet timbre and a soulful yet melodious voice. Born in a family of learned musicians and knowledgeable scholars of Urdu language and poetry, Tauseef was brought up under the careful eye and strict tutelage of his able father Akhtar Azad - a critic par excellence and a connoisseur of Urdu Shayari.
With such remarkable lineage it was then only natural that Tauseef enriched his pedigree in classical music and refined his taste in Urdu shayari. This is clearly noticeable in his choice of poetry that he selects for his recital as also evident in his masterly rendition of the same - which is his forte! His ghazals are thus eminently down to earth and simple for a large number of people to understand them.
With his typically natural and effortless style of singing and a gifted 'soz’ in his mellifluous voice Tauseef’s listeners cannot help but be impressed and carried away by his music and instantly connect with his warm and straight-from-the-heart rendition!
Tauseef received his initial training of classical singing from the renowned Late Pt. Govind Prasad ‘Jaipurwale’. It was only after the demise of the latter that the teenager Tauseef came under the able guidance and tutelage of the king of ghazals Jagjit Singh. While by now Tauseef had a fair idea of the theoretical side of classical format and Ragas it was only under his guru Jagjit Singh that Tauseef was to learn the important nuances of vocal rendition particularly the inimitable style significant to ghazal gayaki of Jagjit Singh who was to remain Tauseef’s true guide and mentor till his last days. It was Jagjit Singh who imparted to him the invaluable training in not only ghazal recital but also vocal classical rendition - pinning him down to riyaz with his tanpura and making him practice only the first note ‘Saa..’ for long hours on end… Here it will be pertinent to mention that Tauseef also learnt the Hindustani classical vocal from the well-known maestro Ustad Dilshad Khan Saheb of Kirana gharana.
“…A melodious voice begs no introduction. Tauseef Akhtar is among one of my more promising disciples. He thinks properly before composing and comprehends properly before rendering the shaayari(poetry). Just as Music has become well-ensconced in his nature, so has shaayari
become an inseparable part of his mood. I am happy that he has sought his very own path in ghazal rendering. My blessings are with him!”
~ Jagjit Singh
As soon as Tauseef passed out of College, he was signed by Nadeem–Shravan to sing and compose for private albums. The journey continued and later in the year 2000, Tauseef was handed all work as a chief assistant to Nadeem Shravan. He began his film career as an Assistant Music Director with Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa followed by Dhadkan, Raaz, Kasoor, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Dil Ka Rishta, Qayamat: City Under Threat, Hungama, Bewafaa and the list goes on. He happened to sing a few songs during his tenure as a Assistant Music Director. One of hits was the title song from Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai. He was nominated in the Stardust Awards for the Best Singer Category in the year 2002 for Dil Hai Tumhara.
Gulshan Kumar of T-Series spotted the talent in Tauseef and gave him a break as a composer in 1991 for an album called Aashiyaan which featured Pankaj Udhas and Anuradha Paudwal. Tauseef composed 5 Ghazals for Anuradha Paudwal under his previous name Parvez Akhtar. Later, Jagjit Singh re named him to Tauseef Akhtar. Since then there was no looking back.
Discography of Films
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Dhadkan | Kasoor | Ek Rishta
Hum Ho Gaye Aapke | Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya
Raaz | Ansh | Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai
Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam
Dil Hai Tumhara | Jena Siri Mere Liye
Dil Ka Rishta | Indian Babu | Yeh Dil
|Andaaz | Qayamat: City Under Threat
Humgama | Footpath | Zinda Dil | Sheen
Kal Na Kal Ye To Hona Hi Tha
Tumsa Nahin Dekha | Bewafa | Barsaat
Dosti | Mere Jeevan Saathi
Aisa Kyun Hota Hai | Mr. Black Mr. White |Kushti
Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Sabki Bajegi Band