Folk Bands and Artists
Najma Akhtar
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By Introducing subtle Jazz nuances to the traditional genre of the Ghazal (South East Asian poetic Urdu ballad) and Sufi styles, Najma, established herself as a pioneering vocalist with her debut World Music album, ‘Qareeb´ and achieved a place in World Music history by creating a new musical genre.
Hailed as a ground-breaking and innovative album, it catapulted Najma into the World Music arena.
Even though her music has remained rooted in the Ghazal (traditional Eastern poetic form), pop/ Bollywood and traditional music of her ancestral home, she has recorded over 8 albums.
Her versatility as a writer and composer can be experienced through her work that range from her traditional / jazz Ghazal albums to recording an album of Bollywood songs by the late, Indian film composer S. D. Burman, ´Forbidden Kiss´ to the various collaborations and projects that she has been involved in.
This iconic pioneer’s presence on the World music scene has led to waves of inspired Asian artists of Indian decent following in her footsteps.