Description & Facts: Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansaheb inherited the musical parampara (tradition)of Punjab that encompassed the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions.Saint Hazrat Bulleh Shah, whose Sufiana Kalam (Sufi song)is sung even today, was buried in Kasur, Ghulam Ali's birth place. The shepherds, wandering in the hills,sang in praise of Hazrath Ali andHussain -- grandsons of Prophet Muhammad -- in melodies akin to classical Indian ragas. The shabads and qawwalis of the Sikhs were often based on ancient Dhrupads and Khayals, again Indian classical ragas. In the biography of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, authors Malti Gulani and Quratulain Haider have paid a rich tribute to the maestro.Ghulam Ali's uncle and guru, Ustad Kale Khan,was himself trained in the Patiala school of music (Patiala gharana); he taught the young Ustad simple compositions. In 1911, Ghulam Ali accompanied Kale Khan to Delhi, at the age of 9, and watched him perform at the 'Dilli Darbar'. Thus began the grooming and development of the musicalpersonality of the young disciple, alongside rigorous taleem (training) under his uncle's baton. Later after a brief acquaintance with ucknow and its highly refined soirees, Ghulam Ali returned to Lahorewith his father and resumed his nightly riyaaz (practice)on the banks of the river Ravi. Singing all night not only developed his stamina, but also gave him the rare sensitivity to gauge the external response. In 1932, he lost his wife Allah Jiwai. His grief, poured into melody, gave birth to