Although she did not receive formal training in Indian classical music, Akhtar learnt the harmonium and vocal technique with Ustad Naeem Solaria and received guidance from other prominent South Asian classical artists.

Akhtar emerged as a musician when International music was gaining popularity and had the opportunity of performing at Peter Gabriel’s ‘WOMAD’ [ World Of Music, Arts and Dance’] and JAZZ stages at the Glastonbury, Reading. and other European festivals.
Najma is one of the very first artists to have created a place in musical history in terms of world music to have created a new genre fusion of JAZZ and Indian Ghazal. Najma is a pioneer of this style of music.

SINGING AND PERFROMANCE STYLES
The style of Music that gave Najma recognition and critical acclaim as a vocalist was based on the Ghazal, which is a form of lyrical poetry. It is Persian in origin and deals with themes of unrequited love, longing and passion. It expresses the deepest sorrows of love lost and and is the height of poetic expression in the east. But when mixed with Jazz a whole new Genre emerges.

NAJMA AKHTAR
Having travelled and performed all over the world, Najma very much has the versality to be able to perform in 3 different styles; Najma and her musicians are all based in the UK.

A) TRADITIONAL STYLE,
Which consists of a Table Player, [Violin Player optional] and Najma on Vocals. The repetoire is based on the Indian semi-classical sound and a mixture of Raga's, Toomeri and Ballads are performed. The Moghul or North Indian stlye is captured.

All accompanying musicians are classically trained in their own field and are themselves very creditable artists.

The above in certain cases woul involve some audience participation just brief explanations of the Raags and Various Rhythems.

Performed in a small intimate environment.
The audience would be required to sit on the floor. [which obviously should be carpeted] with their shoes removed.

A small PA would be need.

B) CONTEMPORARY STYLE:
Consisting of Bass guiar, Saxaphone, Keyboards, Tabla, Drummer and Najma. Hence the overall sound and presentation is very different. IE the Jazz Fusion band. This is the way that Najma is better know for in terms of her albums.

C} THE INDIAN UNDERGROUND SOUND ..A CLUBY
Dance thing although. Not all dance music but using Najma plus 2 Musicians IE a Keyboard Player and Drummer.
. Introduces a more Urban / Pop / Underground Style.

Najma, Gives performances in stlye 'A' and 'B' at World Music and Jazz festivals.
Style 'C' at various clubs that lean towards World Pop / Trance / Arabic / Indian Underground.