Renowned singer and Bihar’s folk icon Sharda Sinha has passed away at the age of 72. She has been battling with multiple myeloma which is a type of blood cancer since 2018. She was admitted to AIIMS hospital in New Delhi where she breathed her last on November 5. Her son Anshuman confirmed the news on social media. He shared her photo and wrote, “Your prayers and love will always be with mother. Mother has been called by Chhathi Maiya. She is no longer with us in physical form.”

Sharda Sinha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and wrote,”Deeply saddened by the passing of the renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha Ji. Her Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs have been immensely popular for decades. Her melodious songs associated with the great festival of faith, Chhath, will continue to resonate forever. Her departure is an irreparable loss to the world of music. In this moment of grief, my heartfelt condolences are with her family and fans. Om Shanti!”

Ravi Kishan posted, “Goddess of voice, the identity of our culture, without whose voice Chhath festival, marriage, all are incomplete, today we called Chhathi Maiya Maa Sharda Sinha ji to us. May Chhathi Maiya grant them heaven

Om peace peace peace 🙏 #shardasinha”.

Sharda Sinha was known as the ‘Bihar Kokila’ for her melodious voice. She received the Padma Shri Award in 1991 for her contribution to music. She was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Sharda Sinha

She has sung over 60 Chhath songs in her musical career. Such was her cultural impact that Chhath Puja was said to be incomplete without her songs playing in the background.