Folk icon Sharda Sinha, voice of chhath, dies at 72 : Valley Vision

Celebrated folk singer Sharda Sinha, fondly known as the ‘Bihar Kokila,’ passed away on Tuesday night at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 72.

Sinha, a treasured voice in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Hindi folk music, succumbed to complications from septicaemia a severe blood infection leading to refractory shock, according to AIIMS officials.

Sinha, often hailed as a cultural ambassador of Bihar’s traditional music, had been battling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, since 2018. Her health took a drastic turn on Monday, necessitating ventilator support. With her soulful folk renditions, especially during the Chhath festival, Sinha became a beloved symbol of Bihar’s cultural heritage.

Her body was transported early Wednesday from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Patna, where the final rites will be held. Sinha’s son, Anshuman, shared that the funeral will take place at the same site where her late husband’s rites were conducted. Her passing on the first day of Chhath Puja has cast a somber tone over the festival in Bihar, where her Chhath songs hold a cherished place.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences, describing her passing as a significant loss to the music world and lauding her contributions to Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music. Other prominent leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed their sorrow.

Sinha’s career, spanning over four decades since the 1970s, brought her numerous accolades, including the National Film Award and the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2018 for her contributions to the arts. Her voice became a hallmark of regional cinema, most memorably with the song ‘Babool’ from the film Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!.