Sharda Sinha, a folk singer who is more famously called "Bihar Kokila" for her version of regional songs like "Vivah Geet" and "Chhath Geet", passed away at the age of 72. She made their mark on the Indian world of folk music with its very melodies.
The career spanning decades for Sharda Sinha was such that she not only chanted for her soul-stirring renditions but also strengthened the cultural essence of Bihar through her powerful vocal prowess.
An incredibly well-known folk singer who died on 5 November owing to complications resulting from cancer, she had been hospitalised in AIIMS Delhi for illness a couple of days back before her condition took a turn for worse, forcing doctors to place her on a ventilator.
Her son, Anshuman Sinha, took to social media to share the news: "All of you will always pray and love for the mother. Chhathi Maiya has called mother to her. She is no longer among us."
Born in Hulas, Supaul district of Bihar, Sharda Sinha sang many regional songs like "Vivah Geet" and "Chhath Geet". Her journey started with All India Radio in 1980 and Doordarshan in 1980 after which she crooned in Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi and Hindi.
She would perform as a regular feature of the Chhath Puja celebrations and sang numbers like "Uthau Suruj Bhaile Bihaan", "Kelwa Ke Paat Par", "Sakal Jagatarini Hey Chhathi Mata" and "Ganga Ji Ke Paniya" to count a few.
The singing sensation had performed when Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam visited Bihar. That is not all. She had given representation to Bihar's culture at the Bihar Utsav in New Delhi, 2010.
Sharda Sinha ruled the hearts of common people of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with Chhath songs.
Sharda Sinha lent her voice to nearly 62 Chhath songs in nine albums. Ten years later, she made a comeback with new songs in 2016. She didn't let up here either. She sang for films in the Hindi film industry and even Salman Khan's "Maine Pyar Kiya" released in 1989. Later she sang for "Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2" called "Taar Bijli."
The late singer was awarded with several accolades and some of them are; in 1991 the fourth-highest civilian honour given by the Indian Government that is Padma Shri. She was decorated by the Government of India as the third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, in 2018.
As soon as the sad news of death about the folk singer has appeared, condolence messages start to pour in on the social media.
Actress Richa Chadha wrote on her Instagram stories: "Sharda Sinha ji ke nidhan ki khabar sunkar jhatka laga. Lok geet, sangeet ki duniya main ek sahej, pakki awaz ki kami khalegi. Kala ka adhyayan ek aesi sadhna, jiski yatra. Hum sab unke abhaari hai unhe naman. Shardhanjali."
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on X on Tuesday said, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shrimati Sharda Sinha ji. She was a multi-talented folk singer who made Bhojpuri language popular among the masses. People will remember her songs for a long time. With her demise, the world of folk music has lost an influential voice. In this hour of grief, I express my condolences to her bereaved family and fans. Om Shanti!"
"The loss of the legendary folk singer, Padma Bhushan Dr. Sharda Sinha ji is heavily sorrowful and can be never repaired in the complete music world," he mentioned.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Aditynath shared, "Humble tribute to her! Through her excellent traditional singing, she served many folk languages including Maithili, Bhojpuri and folk culture and brought her respect on the national stage".
I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to her bereaved family and fans to bear this immense loss. Om peace! he added.
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