Grammy Award-winning American singer SZA made headlines in India after she attended – and performed at – the Isha Foundation’s Maha Shivratri 2026 celebrations in Coimbatore, bringing an unexpected global spotlight to one of the country’s most significant spiritual nights.
The annual Maha Shivratri event in Isha, which takes place on February 15 and 16, is known for its all-night vigils, meditations, chants and devotional music in honor of Lord Shiva. While the festival traditionally attracts thousands of devotees from across India and abroad, SZA’s presence this year added a rare pop culture crossover to the deeply spiritual gathering.
Unlike a conventional concert setting, Maha Shivratri at Isha is structured as a contemplative experience rather than a spectacle. SZA’s performance reflected this ethos. She performed as part of the night’s program, blending into the meditative atmosphere rather than dominating it, a choice many attendees and online viewers described as respectful and understated.
Photos and videos of the singer dressed in traditional attire quickly spread across social media, sparking conversations among Indian fans who were surprised to see the global music star so closely involved in the Hindu religious celebration. Many users described the moment as a genuine cultural exchange rather than a headline-driven appearance.
One user wrote: “She is so happy that love shiva healed her. She is at peace. Hinduism as a religion gives you life support and happiness that you have meaning to live with meditation spiritual yoga dhyan sharing nourishing faith letting go happily love.”
Another user wrote: “I think it’s very cute!”
“First in the bloodline I hear, I can get Shiv Shambooo,” wrote a third user.
“I love how happy she is dancing, I feel like Lord Shiva is blessing her and her mother to dance happily,” wrote a fourth.
“She just wanted to make other people chant ‘shiv shambha’ so they know what’s wrong with you all hating on her,” wrote a fifth.
Observers also noted that SZA was doing more than just performing—participating in the rhythm of the night, fitting into the mood of reflection and calm that defines the festival. This approach resonated with audiences, who contrasted it with more performative celebrity visits to cultural or religious events.
Beyond the celebrity factor, the moment highlighted how Indian spiritual spaces are increasingly intersecting with global cultural figures. Isha Foundation’s Maha Shivratri celebrations already reach an international audience through live streams and an overseas following, but SZA’s participation brought new mainstream attention, especially among younger and urban Indian audiences.
As online discussions went beyond visuals and fashion, many fans interpreted the visit as an expression of personal curiosity and openness.