Artist Bio: Ghulam Ali

Birth name: Ghulam Ali
Year of birth: 1940
Place of Birth: Kaleke, Sailkot, Punjab, Pakistan
Profession: Vocalist, Ghazal singer
Instruments: Harmonium and tabla

Ghulam Ali was born in a family that was entirely musical. His father was a sarangi player and he always wanted him to get musical training. His father gave him initial training and followed a unique process of training him. He used to teach him by keeping green leaves on the harmonium keys and mark them with ball point pen. At the age of 15, Ghulam Ali was accepted by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan as his disciple. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan got impressed with the thumari sung by Ghulam Ali and decided to teach him. He was trained under Mubarak Ali’s supervision, a famous classical singer and brother of Bade Ghulam Ali. Gulam Ali was introduced to the basic music knowledge and technicalities of advanced knowledge. His proficiency in singing thumari and ragas made the Ghulam Ali singing style a preface of the classical singing. In 1960, came the turning point of Gulam Ali’s career when he got the opportunity to perform in the biggest musical concert held in Pakistan. Along with the many big names of that era, Gulam Ali also participated and gathered wholehearted demand and appreciation by the people. Ghulam Ali received his next phase of training from Sufi Sahab, who taught him how to deliver Shers and Ghazals. Ghulam Ali is always pointed out for being one among those singers who have a very clear recitation and tone of singing. He has always emphasized on delivering messages of peace and harmony to the human race and one of his attempts was ‘Faasle Aise bhi honge’ that was quite commendable. Ghulam Ali’s Ghazals are also used in several bollywood movies that brought immense fame and popularity. One of his famous ghazals was ‘Chupke Chupke raat din’ from the movie Nikaah. Ghulam Ali added many hit number in his voice that are still hummed by most of us. He sung ‘Kal chaudavin ki raat thi’, ‘Hungama kyon hai barpa’, ‘mehfil me baar baar un par nazar gyi’ and many more. Even ordinary and least impressive compositions used to become highly influencing and binding when delivered in the unique Ghulam Ali style. He knew the art of making the lyrics listen more impressive and romantic. Ghulam Ali’s soulful and moving approach to each song made it special and memorable.