Folk icon Sharda Sinha passes away at 72

Mumbai: Revered folk singer Sharda Sinha, fondly known as "Bihar Kokila," passed away at the age of 72 on November 5, following complications from cancer. She was undergoing treatment at AIIMS in Delhi, where she had been placed on a ventilator after her condition worsened.

With a career spanning decades, Sinha's voice became synonymous with the rich cultural essence of Bihar, immortalizing her in the hearts of many. Known for iconic songs like "Vivah Geet" and "Chhath Geet," she elevated traditional Bihari music and gained respect across India for her powerful renditions.

Her son, Anshuman Sinha, announced the news on social media, expressing, “Chhathi Maiya has called mother to her. She is no longer among us.” The post was met with an outpouring of love and prayers from her fans.

Sharda Sinha was born in Hulas, Supaul district of Bihar, and began her journey in 1980 with All India Radio and Doordarshan. Over the years, she brought Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, and Hindi songs to a wider audience. Her renditions, especially during Chhath Puja, became essential to the festival, with unforgettable songs like "Uthau Suruj Bhaile Bihaan," "Kelwa Ke Paat Par," and "Sakal Jagatarini Hey Chhathi Mata."

Sinha represented Bihar on global stages, including a performance for Mauritius’s Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam during his visit to the state. She also showcased Bihar’s cultural heritage at the 2010 Bihar Utsav in New Delhi.

The singer's contributions extended beyond regional music, as she lent her voice to Bollywood hits, such as "Maine Pyar Kiya" (1989) and “Taar Bijli” from Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2. With over 62 Chhath songs in nine albums, Sinha continued to connect with her audience, returning with new music in 2016 after a decade-long hiatus.

Her talent was honored with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 1991, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Following her passing, tributes poured in from across the country. Actress Richa Chadha expressed shock, mourning the loss of Sinha’s unique voice. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged her impact, stating, “People will remember her songs for a long time. The world of folk music has lost an influential voice.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute, commending her dedication to preserving folk music and praying for her peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Sharda Sinha's passing, calling it an "irreparable loss" to the music world, and joined others, including actress Richa Chadha and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in mourning her death, with condolences pouring in from fans and admirers across India.

Sinha's legacy endures in her timeless music, resonating across generations and cementing her place as a beloved voice of Bihar.

With IANS inputs