SHARDA SINHA TO BE CREMATED WITH FULL STATE HONOURS IN PATNA TODAY

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PATNA, Niv. 6, 2024 (TBINN)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha would be cremated with full state honours here today.

The Padma Bhushan recipient passed away last night while undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi. She was 72.

According to the Chief Minister’s office, Nitish Kumar has directed Patna District Magistrate to make necessary arrangements for Sharda Sinha’s cremation. Her body is likely to arrive from Delhi in afternoon.

Known as ‘Bihar Kokila’ for her melodious renditions of Chhath and folk songs, including ‘Kartik Maas Ijoriya’, ‘Suraj Bhaile Bihaan’, and Bollywood hits like ‘Taar Bijli’ and ‘Babul’, Sharda Sinha lost her battle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Sharda’s passing away on the first day of Chhath Festival — a coincidence that many have called scripted by destiny — adds an emotional layer to her legacy.

Sharda Sinha, a trained classical singer, was widely revered for blending classical and folk music in her performances.

Often referred to as the ‘Begum Akhtar of Mithila’, she was a devout Chhath worshipper and would release a new song to mark the festival every year, even in her declining health.

This year, she released the song ‘Dukhwa Mitayin Chhathi Maiya’, a prayer that reflected her struggle with illness, just a day before her passing.

Sharda Sinha was synonymous with folk songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magahi languages.

Born in Supaul of Bihar, Sharda Sinha became famous not only in her home state but also in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Sharda’s folk songs, particularly those sung during Chhath Puja and weddings, became iconic. Some of her most popular tracks include ‘Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya,’ ‘Dwar Chekai’, ‘Patna Se’, and ‘Koyal Bin’.