Renowned Bhojpuri folk singer and Padma Bhushan awardee Sharda Sinha, lovingly known as the “Bihar Kokila,” passed away on Tuesday night, November 5 2024, at the age of 72. She breathed her last at AIIMS Delhi at 9:20 p.m. She had been admitted there for treatment for the previous 11 days as her health declined. She had been fighting blood cancer for six years, and her condition recently deteriorated, requiring ventilator support, a sign that she was critically ill.
Sharda Sinha was widely celebrated for her soulful Chhath Puja songs. Remarkably, Sinha’s latest Chhath song, Dukhva Mitain Chhathi Maiya, Raue Aasra Hamaar, was released just one day before her death, while she was still in the hospital. Fans across India felt a deep connection to her through this song, which became a parting gift and a lasting tribute to her contributions to Bhojpuri folk music and Chhath Puja.
Sharda Sinha was a major figure in Indian folk music, especially in the Bhojpuri and Maithili languages, where her songs became iconic and she earned her the title of “Swar Kokila” and recognition as a cultural icon of Bihar. Her legacy will continue through her timeless music, cherished by generations. Her son, Anshuman Sinha, confirmed the news of her death.
