The show was scheduled to start at 6:00 PM but began at 7:30 PM due to rituals that Ghulam Ali Khan and his team had to perform for Ramadan, causing a one-and-a-half-hour delay.
“Gajalu ti thula thula aakha
tira bani basey yo dilaima
kalo lamo pareli kesa
chala paryo kalilo maya ma”
This verse from one of Ali’s most popular Nepali songs, Gajalu Ti Thula Thula Aakha, resonated through the hall of The Plaza, Lalitpur, as the audience sang along at the beginning of the show. Only then did Ustad Ghulam Ali take the stage.
The collective dream
The octogenarian singer Ali commenced the performance with some sargams, explaining their technical intricacies. While doing so, he complimented the audience, saying, “Nepali people are good listeners; they have a deep understanding of music.”
Hearing this, the audience erupted in cheers and applause, expressing their excitement.
Since the day news about Ghulam Ali’s show in Nepal circulated in the media, I was excited about it. It wasn’t just me—my parents were equally excited about his live performance. We had always dreamed of watching live performances by Jagjit Singh, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Ghulam Ali. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to see the first two, as they had passed away. But we were determined not to miss Ghulam Ali’s show, so we made it happen.
Watching Ghulam Ali perform was not just my personal dream—it was a family dream that finally came true.
Creating magic
As the show continued, he was accompanied by his son and grandson, performing songs like Awargi, Dil Mein Ik, Hum Ko Kiske, Hungama and Gajalu Ti Thula Thula Aankha.
As someone who grew up listening to these songs, watching Ghulam Ali perform evoked deep nostalgia. It took me back to the times when I would listen to his live recordings for hours on a home theater system, sitting alongside my parents.
What fascinates me about Ghulam Ali is not merely his singing skills or compositions but the way he observes and interacts with the audience. On Saturday evening, he was once again seen joyfully engaging with the audience. The show was not just about the music—it also featured moments of wit, with Ghulam Ali, his son Aamir Ali, and his grandson Nazir Ali adding a touch of humor.
Both Aamir, Nazir and the back up band deserve appreciation for providing excellent support to Ghulam Ali throughout the show.
Feeling of being grateful
At 84, Ali’s age naturally tempered my expectations—I did not anticipate him singing as he did in his youth or the way I had heard him during my childhood. But the aura he still carries and the variations he delivers, particularly while singing the first line of Dil Mein Ik, remain magical.
Personally, attending Ghulam Ali’s live show was not just about watching him perform—it was a blessing that my parents and I had long awaited.
As the final notes faded and the evening came to a close, I could not help but feel immensely grateful for the chance to witness a legend in his element—something my parents and I will treasure forever.
