Remembering Bade Ghulam Ali Khan on his 115th birth anniversary

​Hyderabad: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Hyderabad chapter along with noble families of Hyderabad has met at the graveyard of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan to pay their respect Sunday on his 115th birth anniversary.

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, the greatest interpreter of the Patiala gharana was born in Lahore in 1902 but after the partition chose to settle in India. He made a mark in Hindustani music and was most sought after across the country. But during his final days prolonged illness left him paralyzed and he died at the Basheerbagh Palace in Hyderabad.

INTACH Hyderabad chapter convenor P Anuradha Reddy said that he was respected all over the country and Zahir Yar Jung of the Paigah family took care of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan during his illness. She further added, “He was buried at the Daira-e-Mir-Momin, a graveyard that has five Prime Ministers who ruled Hyderabad under the Nizam’s domain belonging to the Salar Jung family buried here.”

Fazle Ali Khan, the great-grandson of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan has come to Hyderabad to pay his tribute. Mohammed Ashfaq, 80 and a resident of Purani Haveli in the Old City says, “It was a tradition in Hyderabad to welcome eminent artists and take care of them in the city.

The Paigah family too did the same. Bade Ghulam Ali lived in Benaras, Delhi and other cities in India but he found peace in Hyderabad as the noble family gave him shelter and respect.”

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is remembered for his compositions in Raga Sohni and Rageshri in Mughal-e-Azam. Such was his popularity that he demanded Rs 25,000 for his songs in Mughal-e-Azam, at a time when the likes of Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi were getting Rs 500 per song.