Folk Legend Sharda Sinha known for Chhath songs passes away

Folk singer Sharda Sinha, renowned for her Chhath songs, passed away on Nov 5. Her son, Anshuman, shared the news of her demise. On the first day of Chhath this year, the Padma Bhushan laureate passed away at AIIMS in Delhi due to complications from cancer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over Sharda Sinha's death on his X handle.

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha Ji. Her Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs have been popular for several decades. The echo of her melodious songs, particularly those associated with the great festival of faith, Chhath, will always remain. Her demise is an irreparable loss to the music world. My condolences are with her family and fans in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!” he wrote.

Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh also expressed their sympathies on their X accounts.

“Sharda Sinha Ji, famous as Bihar Kokila, made Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs popular among the masses and continued to mesmerize the film world as a playback singer,” wrote Amit Shah.

Rajnath Singh shared, “She was a multi-talented folk singer who made the Bhojpuri language popular among the masses. People will remember her songs for a long time.”

Actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari paid his last respects to the legendary folk singer at AIIMS in Delhi, sharing pictures and videos on his X account.

“Today I had my last darshan of elder sister Sharda Didi, who spread the sweetness of Bhojpuri across the country and the world through Chhathi Maiya and devotional music, at AIIMS Delhi. The demise of Didi Sharda is an irreparable loss to the Bhojpuri world and the country,” he wrote.

Laapata Ladies actor and politician Ravi Kishan expressed his grief on X: “The goddess of voice, the identity of our culture, without whose voice the Chhath festival, marriages, and many other occasions are incomplete, today Chhathi Maiya called Maa Sharda Sinha ji to her. May Chhathi Maiya grant her eternal peace.”

Sharda Sinha, who was awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, will be cremated with state honors.

“We have decided that the last rites of my mother will take place at the same place where my father’s last rites were performed. We will take her mortal remains to Patna,” her son Anshuman said.

Manoj Tiwari also mentioned, “Sharda Sinha’s last rites will be performed with state honors. Her mortal remains will be kept in Patna for the final darshan.”

The last rites will be performed on Nov 7.

Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival, primarily celebrated in Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, where devotees offer prayers to the Sun, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and family well-being.