Khan started his career by playing sarangi. He became popular after his debut concert in Kolkata. By 1944, in the age of personalities like Abdul Karim Khan, Alladiya Khan and Faiyaz Khan, he was considered by many to be the uncrowned king of Hindustani music.

    Khan amalgamated the best of four traditions: his own Patiala-Kasur style, the Behram Khani elements of Dhrupad, the gyrations of Jaipur, and the behlavas (embellishments) of Gwalior. His voice had a wide range, spanning three octaves, effortless production, sweetness, flexibility and ease of movement in all tempi.

   After the partition of India in 1947, Khan returned to his home in Pakistan, but returned to India later to permanently reside there. He did not approve of the partition, stating: "If in every home one child was taught Hindustani classical music this country would never have been partitioned." In 1957, he acquired Indian citizenship and lived at various times in Lahore, Bombay, Calcutta, and Hyderabad.

   He was reluctant to sing for films, but sang two songs based on ragas Sohni and Rageshree for the 1960 film Mughal-e-Azam, in which his voice was represented as Tansen's by the music director Naushad. To dissuade Naushad, he demanded a high price, reportedly Rs. 25,000/- per song, when the rate for popular playback singers such as Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi was below Rs. 500/- per song.

   Khan was married to Ali Jiwai, who died in 1932. Khan's son, Munawar Ali Khan (1930-1989), was a classical singer. His grandson, Raza Ali Khan, is also a Hindustani classical singer.

   Khan died in Hyderabad at Basheerbagh Palace in 1968, after a prolonged illness which left him partially paralyzed in his last years. He continued to sing and perform in public with the support of his son Munawar until his death.

   The legacy

   Today, the Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Yaadgar Sabha, founded by his disciple Malti Gilani, keeps his music and memory alive. It aims to promote Hindustani classical music and organises many concerts to this end. Its primary aim, however, is to provide medical aid to ailing musicians. The Sabha organises a Sabrang Utsav every year in the memory of the maestro. Under his pen name, Sabrang, Khan left numerous compositions.

 Discography

• Mehfil - Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan - Times Music

• Golden Milestones - Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

• Classical Vocal - Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

• Sab Rang