Last Updated:
Late folk singer Sharda Sinha was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan by President Murmu for her contribution to folk music. Known as ‘Bihar Kokila’, she died at 72.
File photo of Sharda Sinha (Image: X)
Folk singer Sharda Sinha was awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan posthumously by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday.
Sharda Sinha has been awarded for her contribution to the field of arts- folk music. The award was recived by his son on her behalf.
Also known as ‘Bihar Kokila’, Sharda Sinha was known for her songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Hindi languages. The legendary folk singer has left behind a legacy of Chhath songs.
Sinha succumbed to blood poisoning complications on November 5. Sharda Sinha was 72.
She was battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Her condition deteriorated on November 4, after which she was placed on a ventilator. She breathed her last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
Sharda Sinha: Nightingale of Bihar
Sinha’s latest release, “Dukhwa Mitaai Chhathi Maiya,” continued to resonate with fans during Chhath, who were left heartbroken after her demise. The late singer honed her musical talents at Magadh Mahila College and Prayag Sangeet Samiti. She furthered her musical education by obtaining a PhD in music from Lalit Narayan Mithila University.
Sinha had earned the title “Nightingale of Bihar” for her enchanting voice, drawing parallels to the late Lata Mangeshkar, often hailed as the “Nightingale of India.” In 1989, she lent her voice to the song “Kahe Tose Sajna” in the blockbuster film “Maine Pyar Kiya,” receiving a mere Rs 76 for her contribution.
Thereafter, Sinha’s Bollywood journey continued with the song “Babul” from the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit starrer “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.” However, she subsequently distanced herself from film music.
This decision was partly influenced by her mother-in-law’s disapproval of her singing career, including devotional songs and bhajans. However, she found unwavering support in her husband and father-in-law.
Years later, Sinha made a return to film music, contributing her voice to “Bijli se Patle” in “Gangs of Wasseypur” and “Kaun Si Nagariya” in the 2014 film “Charfutiya Chhokre,” the latter penned by Bhikhari Thakur.
Her prolific career includes 62 Chhath songs recorded across nine albums released by T-Series, HMV, and Tips.Sinha’s musical journey began in 1971, earning her the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Bhushan in 2018.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
