Kate Na Biraha Ki Raat

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan recorded Kate Na Biraha Ki Raat for the 1968 album Padma Bhooshan Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. The track appears as side B2 on a 12\" vinyl LP released by Odeon.

The composition exemplifies Khan’s mastery of the Patiala gharana, a school of Hindustani classical vocal music known for its intricate taan patterns and emotive delivery. Khan’s rendition employs khayal form, a semi-improvisational structure that balances fixed melodic frameworks with spontaneous embellishments. The recording captures his signature vocal agility, particularly in the upper octaves, and his use of gamak (ornamental oscillations) to convey lyrical pathos.

The album title references Khan’s 1962 receipt of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, which he earned for contributions to classical music. The Odeon release compiles selections from his later career, though specific session dates for individual tracks remain undocumented. The vinyl format preserves the acoustic warmth of his live-style performances, accompanied by traditional instruments including the tanpura and tabla.

Kate Na Biraha Ki Raat endures as a benchmark of Khan’s interpretive depth, often cited in analyses of 20th-century khayal repertoire. The track’s lyrical theme revolves around the anguish of separation, a common motif in classical bandish (compositions). No alternate takes or extended versions of this recording are publicly verified.