An Ode to TAPU

Tapu Javeri is a name that needs no introduction.

A photographer par excellence, he is known far and wide as one of the pioneers of photography in Pakistan. Starting out from a small dark room at his home a quarter of a century ago, Tapu’s versatility and diversity has led to over 50 group shows, 10 solo exhibitions; most notably “Where three dreams cross” at Whitechapel gallery, London and “KaraChakra” and “KolachiScope” in Karachi, 4 photography books of his own namely “I Vouyer”, “Shades of Green”, “Tapulicious 1 “, “Tapulicious 2” and contributions to many others.

Tapu designs jewellery for his own family business, owns “Tapulicious” -an accessory brand and has also been pursuing a teaching career at Indus Valley School of Arts & Architecture.

Tapu’s work has been widely recognised internationally, his photography has been published in magazines like Gallerie (India), Newsline, Herald and Visage.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Photographed backstage at a channel V concert, where Tapu was asked to join the legend on stage. Unfortunately the on-stage images were lost in a fire that broke out at Tapu’s studio.

Noor Jehan

A candid shoot of Madame Noor Jehan doing her makeup. The shoot took place at her house. After she fell seriously ill, this was one of her last shoots.

Junaid Jamshed

A solo shot of Junaid Jamshed, take after Vital Sign’s first album, before their Dil Dil Pakistan fame. They wanted to give themselves a new rock look, so the shoot was done in derelict broken down buildings.