Ustad Muhammad Yousuf

Muhammad Yousuf was born in Muhalla Din Ali Shah, Tiyoon Number Talau, Tando Tayeb Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.[1] His father Laung Faqir Maganhar was a Dholak Nawaz (drum beater) and Sharnai (or Shahnai) player. His father used to play Dholak at Radio Pakistan Hyderabad. Muhammad Yousuf got primary education from Baar Sudhar School and Haji Seth Kamaluddin School Hyderabad, however, he was not interested in formal education and left school after passing five classes.[2] Due to his interest in music, he got admission in the musical club of Ustad Bibo Khan. Afterwards, his father sent him to noted singer Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan at Tando Adam. He stayed with for about 13 years and learnt music from him.[3]

In 1951, a competition of new singers was organized at Liaquat Medical College (Now Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences) Jamshoro. The Provincial Minister Pir Ali Muhammad Rashidi was the chief guest of the event. Muhammad Yousuf not only participated in that competition but got first position and lot of appreciation and encouragement. Then, he started singing at Radio Pakistan Karachi. After the establishment of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad in 1955, he shifted from Karachi to his home town Hyderabad.[4]

Muhammad Yousuf had a beautiful voice and good knowledge of music. After early success at Radio Pakistan, he started singing in Sindhi films as a playback singer.[5] His first film as a playback singer was Shehro Feroz which was released on 18 October 1968 from Karachi. This film was directed by Shaikh Hassan and its music composer was Ghulam Ali. His first play back lyric "Rahat Milay Thi Dard Men, Man Piyar Tan Sadqay" made him very popular in film industry. He continued as a playback singer in almost all Sindhi films released in the 1970s and 1980s. Those films included Laila Majnu, Ghoonghat Lah Kunwar, Moomal Ranu, Mithra Shaal Milan, Jeejal Mau, Rat and Ajrak, Mahboob Mitha, Chandoki, Soni Muhinji Dharti, Ghairat Jo Suwal, Rang Mahal, Sindhria Tan Sadqay and others. As a playback singer, he sang with many famous singers such as Madam Noor Jahan, Abida Parveen, Runa laila and others.[6]

He was also a great folk singer. He sang the poetry of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal Sarmast, Misri Shah and other Sufi poets of Sindh.[7] He also performed in England, Germany, Belgium, Russia and China. Muhammad Yousuf not only sang in Sindhi but also in Seraiki and Urdu languages.

Muhammad Yousuf received two Pride of Performance awards, four Shah Latif Awards, Four Qalendar Shahaz Awards and three Sachal Awards.[8] He was the first singer who was honoured to receive the prestigious Shah Latif Award.