Ghulam Ali Khan غلام علی خان | |
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 Ghulam Ali in Chennai | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1940-12-05)5 December 1940 (age 84) |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer, playback singer,ghazal, classical music |
| Years active | 1960– present |
| Labels | Radio Pakistan, PTV |
Ustad Ghulam Ali (Punjabi:غُلام علی; born 5 December 1940) is aPakistanighazal singer of thePatiala Gharana. Ghulam Ali is considered one of the greatest ghazal singers of his era. He has also been a prominent playback singer in Bollywood. He is a disciple ofBade Ghulam Ali Khan (elder Ghulam Ali Khan). Ali was also trained by Bade Ghulam Ali's younger brothers – Barkat Ali Khan and Mubarak Ali Khan.
His style and variations in singingGhazals are unique, as he blendsHindustani classical music with ghazals, unlike any other ghazal singer. He is highly popular in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, as well as amongSouth Asian diaspora in the US, the UK and the Middle Eastern countries.[1]Many of his hit ghazals have been used inBollywood movies. His famous ghazals areChupke Chupke Raat Din,Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi,Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, Chamakte Chand Ko,Kiya Hai Pyar Jisé,May Nazar Sé Pee Raha Hoon,Mastana Peeyé,Yé dil yé pagal dil,Apni Dhun Mein Rehta Hoon aghazal byNasir Kazmi, "Ham Ko Kiske Gham Ne Maara". His album "Hasratein" was nominated in the Best Ghazal Album category at the Star GIMA Awards 2014. He was married to Afsana Ali, with whom he has a daughter, Manjari Ghulam Ali.
In 2015, due to protest by Shiv Sena atMumbai, his concert was cancelled.[2] After this, he received invitations from Delhi Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee andUttar Pradesh Chief MinisterAkhilesh Yadav.[3] After this cancellation, he performed inLucknow,[3] New Delhi,Trivandrum, andKozhikode, India.[4]
In a news item reported in 2015, Ghulam Ali has said that he won't perform in India until situation is right for music. He, however, assured that he will visit India when ‘the atmosphere is right.’ He said that he does not want to be used for political mileage.[4]
His sons Aamir Ghulam Ali[5] and Nazar Ali Abbas are also musicians.[6]
His name 'Ghulam Ali' was given by his father, a great fan ofBade Ghulam Ali Khan who, in the past, used to live inLahore. Ghulam Ali had always been listening to Khan since childhood.[citation needed]
Ghulam Ali encountered Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, for the first time, when he was in his early teens. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan had touredKabul, Afghanistan and, on the way back to India, Ghulam Ali's father requested the Ustad to take his son as a disciple. But Khan insisted that since he was hardly in town, regular training wouldn't be possible. But after repeated requests from Ghulam Ali's father, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan asked the young Ghulam Ali to sing something. It wasn't easy to have the courage to sing before him. He mustered the courage to sing theThumri "Saiyyan Bolo Tanik Mose Rahiyo Na Jaye..". After he finished, Ustad hugged him and made him his disciple.[1]
Ghulam Ali started singing forRadio Pakistan,Lahore in 1960. Along with singingghazals, Ghulam Ali composed music for his ghazals. His compositions areraga-based and sometimes include a scientific mixture of ragas. He is known for blending gharana-gaaiaki into ghazal and this gives his singing the capability to touch people's hearts. He singsPunjabi songs too. Many of his Punjabi songs have been popular and have been part of Punjab's own cultural diaspora. Though from Pakistan, Ghulam Ali remains as popular in India as in Pakistan.Asha Bhosle has done joint music albums with him.
He was introduced toBombay cinema with an Urdu film songChupke Chupke Raat Din written by the poetHasrat Mohani inB R Chopra's film,Nikaah (1982).[7] Other popular ghazals includeHungama Hai Kyun Barpa andAwaargi. He tends to select the ghazals of famous poets.
On being questioned about Pakistani pop groups, Ghulam Ali replied, "Frankly, I am really bewildered at their style of singing. How can you sing a song by running and jumping around the stage? The stage is meant for performing not foracrobatics."[1]
Ghulam Ali has also sung someNepali ghazals likeKina kina timro tasveer,Gajalu tee thula thula aankha,Lolaaeka tee thula andKe chha ra diun inNepali language withNarayan Gopal, a well known Nepali singer, and composerDeepak Jangam. Those songs were written by KingMahendra of Nepal. These songs were compiled in an album entitledNarayan Gopal, Ghulam Ali Ra Ma, and are popular among Nepali music lovers to this day.[1]
One of his memorable concerts was at theTaj Mahal.[8] On being asked about the future ofghazal singers, he said he enjoyed popularghazal singerAdithya Srinivasan's ghazals, who performed the opening act at his concert in 2012 atBangalore.[9]Recently, in February 2013, the maestro became the first person to receive theBade Ghulam Ali Khan award. Commenting on this, he said," I am indebted to the Indian government for giving me this award. For me, it is the greatest award I have received because it is named after my guru."He also received the first Swaralaya Global Legend Award (2016) atTrivandrum, Kerala, India.[10]Furthermore, Ghulam Ali was the singer of choice for His late Majesty the king of Nepal Mahendra Birbikram Shah Dev. Ghulam Ali sang a number of popular songs written by King Mahendra.[1]
Now his son and disciple, Nazar Abbas Ali is following in his father's footsteps.
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