Pashto music has lost one of its most recognisable voices with the death of Gulrez Tabassum, who passed away at a hospital in Peshawar on October 28, 2026, at the age of 77. He was celebrated for his soulful singing and dedication to traditional Pakhtun music.
Born in 1950, Tabassum began his musical career at Radio Pakistan Peshawar before expanding his reach through television, stage performances and Pashto cinema.
For generations of listeners, his voice became part of the region’s cultural identity. His passing marks the loss of an artist who helped carry Pashto folk traditions to audiences far beyond local gatherings.
Gulrez Tabassum was particularly known for his performances of tappay, traditional Pashto couplets that express love, longing, happiness and sorrow. His repertoire also included folk songs, ghazals and film music, reflecting the breadth of his contribution to regional entertainment.
Among his recognised songs are Za Pa Bara Zama, Da Sour Salona, Ta Cha Ta Katal and Dere Khabare Me Pa Zrra Wey. These recordings remain part of the musical catalogue associated with his name.
He favoured traditional sounds, including the rubab and acoustic percussion, helping preserve a style of singing rooted in Pashtun poetry, storytelling and everyday life.
Over the course of his career, Tabassum reached audiences through radio broadcasts, television appearances, live shows and Pashto films. His work helped introduce traditional folk forms to wider audiences while keeping their emotional depth and cultural significance at the centre of his music.
In his later years, declining health led him to step away from singing. He had largely withdrawn from the entertainment industry more than a decade before his death and spent his final years in poor health.
His legacy lives on through his recordings and the songs that continue to connect listeners with Pashto musical heritage.
Pashto music has lost one of its most recognisable voices with the death of Gulrez Tabassum, who passed away at a hospital in Peshawar on October 28, 2026, at the age of 77.
Pashto music has lost one of its most recognisable voices with the death of Gulrez Tabassum, who passed away at a hospital in Peshawar on October 28, 2026, at the age of 77. He was celebrated for his soulful singing and dedication to traditional Pakhtun music.
Born in 1950, Tabassum began his musical career at Radio Pakistan Peshawar before expanding his reach through television, stage performances and Pashto cinema.
For generations of listeners, his voice became part of the region’s cultural identity. His passing marks the loss of an artist who helped carry Pashto folk traditions to audiences far beyond local gatherings.
Gulrez Tabassum was particularly known for his performances of tappay, traditional Pashto couplets that express love, longing, happiness and sorrow. His repertoire also included folk songs, ghazals and film music, reflecting the breadth of his contribution to regional entertainment.
Among his recognised songs are Za Pa Bara Zama, Da Sour Salona, Ta Cha Ta Katal and Dere Khabare Me Pa Zrra Wey. These recordings remain part of the musical catalogue associated with his name.
He favoured traditional sounds, including the rubab and acoustic percussion, helping preserve a style of singing rooted in Pashtun poetry, storytelling and everyday life.
Over the course of his career, Tabassum reached audiences through radio broadcasts, television appearances, live shows and Pashto films. His work helped introduce traditional folk forms to wider audiences while keeping their emotional depth and cultural significance at the centre of his music.
In his later years, declining health led him to step away from singing. He had largely withdrawn from the entertainment industry more than a decade before his death and spent his final years in poor health.
His legacy lives on through his recordings and the songs that continue to connect listeners with Pashto musical heritage.
