Who is Shahnaz Akhtar?
Shahnaz Akhtar is an Indian devotional singer from Barghat, near Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh, who has spent over two decades building an unusual career — a Muslim woman who sings Hindu bhajans dedicated to Mata Durga, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha. She has released over 75 albums since 2005 and performs at temples, pandals, and religious festivals across India, particularly during Navratri. Her story — of facing fatwas, attacks on her home, social ostracism, and death threats from within her own community for choosing a path of devotional music — has repeatedly brought her into the national spotlight and makes searches for “Shahnaz Akhtar kaun hai” spike each time she performs at a major event or makes a public statement about her faith.
Shahnaz Akhtar Biography
| Full Name | Shahnaz Akhtar |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Disputed — reported as September 12, 1974 or November 12, 1988 (see note below) |
| Birthplace | Barghat, Seoni District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Profession | Devotional Singer, Bhajan Artist, Stage Performer |
| Father | Ustad Mohammad Hanif (classical musician, tabla player) |
| Mother | Shabnam Akhtar (folk singer) |
| Husband | Ejaz Khan |
| Children | One son, one daughter |
| First Album | 2005 — “Bam Lahari Bam Lahari” |
| Total Albums | 75–100+ |
| Known For | “Mori Maiya Ki Chunar Udi Jaye,” “Mamta Mayi Maa,” “Chhum-Chhum Chhananan Baje Maiya Paon Pajnaiya” |
| @shahnaaz_akhtar_official |
Note on Date of Birth: Sources conflict significantly on Shahnaz Akhtar’s DOB. Some report September 12, 1974; others report November 12, 1988. No officially verified date is available. The article uses verified facts about her career rather than an unconfirmed birth year.
Early Life and Family Background
Shahnaz Akhtar was born into a Muslim family in Barghat, a small town near the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. Music ran in her family from the beginning — her father, Ustad Mohammad Hanif, was a classical musician and tabla player, and her mother, Shabnam Akhtar, was a well-known folk singer in the region. Growing up in a household where music was both livelihood and identity meant Shahnaz was exposed to it from childhood.
But the music she was drawn to was not what her family or community expected. As a child, she would visit the local Ganesh temple to collect prasad, and she began listening to Hindu devotional bhajans on her tape recorder, humming along and gradually learning the songs by ear. By the time she was around 10 years old, she had begun singing bhajans at local gatherings.
She completed her schooling and graduation at local institutions in Barghat. She has stated in interviews that she never received any formal training in devotional singing — her entire musical education came from listening, watching, and practising on her own.
Career — 75+ Albums and a Unique Voice in Devotional Music
The Beginning (2005–2008)
Shahnaz released her debut devotional album, “Bam Lahari Bam Lahari,” in 2005. The album connected with devotional music audiences, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states, and established her as a voice worth following in the bhajan circuit.
Between 2005 and 2008, she performed extensively at temples, religious mahotsavs, and pandal programmes. Despite facing opposition from within her community, she continued recording and performing, building a reputation in the devotional music world that steadily grew beyond Madhya Pradesh.
Building a National Audience
Over the following years, Shahnaz released album after album — her catalogue now runs to over 75 titles, with some sources citing 100+ albums. Her most popular tracks include:
- “Mori Maiya Ki Chunar Udi Jaye”
- “Mamta Mayi Maa”
- “Chhum-Chhum Chhananan Baje Maiya Paon Pajnaiya” — one of her signature Navratri songs
- “Mere Bhole Se Bhole Baba”
- “Ran Main Kud Padi Mahakali”
- “Kali Mai”
- “Angna Padharo”
- “Ganpati Bappa Moriya”
- “Aage Bajrangi Nache”
- “Saji Teri Galiyan”
- “Jhula Julna”
Her voice and the emotional quality of her devotional performances built a loyal following among bhajan audiences. During Navratri, her shows are among the most in-demand in the circuit — organisers book her months in advance with significant appearance fees.
Television Recognition
Shahnaz’s reach extended to television when she served as a member of the grand jury on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs, Season 9 — a major national singing reality show. This gave her visibility beyond the devotional music audience and introduced her to a mainstream viewership.
Mahakaleshwar Temple and Religious Devotion
Shahnaz has publicly stated her deep connection to Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, one of India’s most revered Shiva temples. She has visited the temple regularly, made donations there, and performs in saffron attire. She describes Sanatan Dharma as her identity — not a performance choice but a personal conviction she has held since childhood.
Personal Life — Family and Marriage
Shahnaz Akhtar is married to Ejaz Khan. They have two children together — a son and a daughter. Details about her children are not publicly available beyond this.
Controversies and Challenges
Fatwa, Threats, and Attack on Her Home
The most consistent and defining thread of Shahnaz Akhtar’s public story is the sustained opposition she has faced from within her community for singing Hindu devotional songs.
A fatwa was reportedly issued against her early in her career. She has spoken publicly at multiple events about threats she received — people telling her she would “go to hell” for singing bhajans of Hindu deities. At a programme in Banda, Uttar Pradesh in March 2025, she narrated what she described as one of the most severe incidents: Islamic fundamentalists attacked her home after she embraced Sanatan Dharma, and she and her family members were assaulted and hospitalised for four days. She stated that during those four days in hospital, no one came to help them and they went without food. She has also said she continues to receive threats to this day.
Her public response to these threats has been defiant. At the Banda event she stated: “If I can go to hell because of my devotion to Hinduism, then what heaven has your father presented to me?” She has added: “I have been dyed in saffron colour. Sanatan Dharma is my identity.” She has also filed an FIR against those attempting to defame her on social media.
The 2009 Murder Case
Multiple sources, including Indpaedia citing Dainik Bhaskar, report that in 2009, Shahnaz Akhtar was arrested and convicted in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old man named Azhar Khan, whose body was found near Kurai village in Seoni district. Reports state that Azhar Khan was allegedly in a relationship with Shahnaz at the time, and that her husband Ejaz Khan was also arrested in the case. Shahnaz and co-accused were reportedly sentenced to life imprisonment and she was later released on parole.
It is important to note that these details come from a limited number of older Hindi media sources and could not be fully cross-verified from court records or primary documents. The article presents this as reported information. Shahnaz Akhtar has continued her career as a public performer since this period without any confirmed ongoing legal proceedings being reported in recent years.
Shahnaz Akhtar Net Worth in 2026
Shahnaz Akhtar’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Her income sources include:
- Live stage shows and religious mahotsavs — she commands significant appearance fees, especially during Navratri season
- Album sales and music royalties — 75–100+ albums across her career
- YouTube — her devotional tracks have accumulated millions of views across her official and fan channels
- Brand and event associations during religious festivals
An exact net worth figure is not available from any credible source.
Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| @shahnaaz_akhtar_official | Active — 2,500+ posts | |
| YouTube | Shahnaz Akhtar | Multiple channels — millions of views |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is Shahnaz Akhtar?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar is an Indian devotional singer from Barghat, Madhya Pradesh, who was born into a Muslim family but has sung Hindu bhajans dedicated to Mata Durga, Lord Shiva, and Lord Ganesha since the age of 10. She has released over 75 albums since 2005 and performs at temples and religious festivals across India.
Q: What religion does Shahnaz Akhtar follow?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar was born into a Muslim family but has publicly stated that she identifies with Sanatan Dharma. She wears saffron attire at performances, visits Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain regularly, and has said “Sanatan Dharma is my identity.”
Q: Who is Shahnaz Akhtar’s husband?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar’s husband’s name is Ejaz Khan. They have two children together — a son and a daughter.
Q: What are Shahnaz Akhtar’s most famous songs?
A: Her most popular tracks include “Mori Maiya Ki Chunar Udi Jaye,” “Mamta Mayi Maa,” “Chhum-Chhum Chhananan Baje Maiya Paon Pajnaiya,” “Mere Bhole Se Bhole Baba,” and “Ganpati Bappa Moriya,” among many others.
Q: Why has Shahnaz Akhtar faced threats?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar has spoken publicly about receiving threats and facing attacks from within her Muslim community for choosing to sing Hindu devotional songs and identifying with Sanatan Dharma. She has stated that her home was attacked, her family was hospitalised for four days, and she continues to receive threats. Despite this, she has continued performing and has filed FIRs against those attempting to defame her online.
Q: How many albums has Shahnaz Akhtar released?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar has released over 75 albums since her debut in 2005, with some sources citing a catalogue of 100+ devotional albums.
Q: Where is Shahnaz Akhtar from?
A: Shahnaz Akhtar is from Barghat, a town near the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, India.