INTACH to hold prayer meet at Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali’s grave

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Charminar :

The Hyderabad chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will hold a prayer assembly at the grave of Hindustani classical music maestro Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali  Khan at Daira Mir Momin in Hari Bowli of Charminar on Sunday to mark his 115th birth anniversary. The prayer session will begin at 10.30 am.

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan's grave in Sultan Shahi area
Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s grave in Sultan Shahi area

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, though born at Kasur village (now in Pakistan) of undivided Punjab on April 2, 1902, he spent a considerable time in Hyderabad where he passed away in 1968. The Ustad, who belongs to the Kasur Patiala Gharana, is considered as the  Tansen of the 20th century.

The state government named a road after him. His grave now lies in utter neglect.

The Ustad served in the special department of music and arts of the Nizam government. The Nizam had both Western and Indian music units. The Indian unit had 108 employees on its rolls including Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

Other great musicians like Pandit Maniram, Pandit Motiram, and Begum Akthar were also part of the Nizam’s music department. News archives reveal that the highest salary offered was 50 a month. The Ustad and other maestro also received special allowances for every appearance.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City News> Hyderabad News  / TNN / April 02nd, 2017