Yusuf Mahmoud

Yusuf Mahmoud is the son of Ustad Asif Mahmoud from the most famous family of tabla players in Afghanistan. This family boasts a lineage of players dating back to the 18th century. Yusuf’s uncle, Ustad Hashim Mahmoud, was the most respected player in the country and his grandfather, Ustad Mahmoud, was one of the most celebrated tabla players in the world.

Yusuf was born in the capital city, Kabul, in 1974 where he studied vocal music with his uncle, Wahid Khan, from the age of seven years. From twelve years old he continued his studies with Ustad Hashim Mahmoud, performing weekly at the Sufi ‘sama’ ceremonies in Kabul.

At the age of fourteen he moved to India’s capital Delhi on a scholarship from the Indian Ministry of Culture to study music at the Sri Ram Baharatia Kala Kendra college of music. After a year of classical vocal study with Anita Roy, Yusuf decided to return to the family tradition and devote all his time to tabla studies. He became a student of the famous player Ustad Bandu Khan of the Ajrara gharana or style, with whom he studied for three years.

At eighteen years, Yusuf joined his father in London, and continued his tabla studies. In 1994 the world’s most famous tabla player, Ustad Allahrakha, visited London; and after he had heard Yusuf play, it was agreed that he should become his official student. Yusuf then travelled to Bombay where he studied with the great master.

Yusuf has performed with many famous artists from the Indian subcontinent including vocalists Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Eltaf Hussain Khan (the son of the great Ustad Sarahang Khan). He has also accompanied the sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan. Additionally he has performed with sitar, sarod, santoor, bansuri and for ghazal concerts; and has worked as a tabla player with a variety of ‘fusion’ ensembles.