Legends of India: A Celebration of the Patiala Gharana and the Music of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

There are some voices that transcend generations — among them stands the towering figure of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sahib, the greatest exponent of the Kasur Patiala gharana. The concert is an experience that takes audiences inside the mind, journey, and music of the maestro, bringing together narration and live performance, weaving a context that connects the listener to both the artist and the art. Often described as “the Tansen of the 20th Century.” Khan Sahib’s music remains unmatched in its emotional depth, artistic brilliance, and nuanced mastery.

The Lineage
Carrying forward this living tradition is Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan, who received his musical training from his grandfather Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and his uncle Ustad Munawar Ali Khan. As the fifth generation of this illustrious musical family, Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan embodies the continuity of a priceless legacy. His performances reflect the same balance of technique, emotion, and spiritual depth that defined his forefathers. For him, this concert is not a tribute alone — it is a return to the roots of a tradition that lives on through him.

The Musical Journey
This performance traces Ustad Bade Ghulam Khan’s musical journey — from his early years to his legendary concerts across the world. Through live renditions and brief narration, the audience will revisit his most beloved ragas and bandishes (traditional classical compositions), and his immortal thumris (light classical presentations based on ragas) that remain milestones in the evolution of Hindustani music. The concert also explores his iconic contribution to cinema, exemplifying how classical music can inhabit the grand world of cinema without losing its purity.

The Experience
This unique concert invites audiences to pause, to feel, and to experience the legacy of true artistry, bringing together narration and live performance. The narration by Mala Sekhri, founder of Muse Music and former head of Music Today, tells the story of the man and his music. Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan’s voice brings the story to life, recreating not just the art, but the spirit of this towering legend of Hindustani music.

Join us for this musical journey — an evening of brilliance, nostalgia, soulful raagdari, and a celebration of the finest traditions of Hindustani classical music.