Folk singer Sharda Sinha, voice of Chhath, dies at 72-OxBig News Network

Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha who passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on November 5, 2024. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Popular folk singer Sharda Sinha, who was undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi, died on Tuesday night (November 5, 2024). She was 72.

“Sharda Sinha expired at 9.20 p.m. due to refractory shock as a result of septicemia,” an AIIMS official said.

Ms. Sinha was known among her fans for folk songs such as “Kartik Maas Ijoriya” and “Koyal Bin” as well as Bollywood numbers “Taar Bijli” from “Gangs of Wasseypur- II” and “Babul” from “Hum Aapke Hain Koun”.

Ms. Sinha, a Padma Bhushan recipient synonymous with folk songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Maghahi languages, was on ventilator support following a health complication due to multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

The singer was admitted to the intensive care unit of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), the cancer institute of AIIMS, in October 2024.

“Noted folk singer, Smt. Sharda Sinha is admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi for treatment. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji is continuously monitoring her condition and is in direct contact with the treating doctors. He has conveyed his prayers for her good health and speedy recovery through the treating team,” AIIMS in a post on X said earlier.

Later in the day, Union Minister Giriraj Singh visited the ailing artist at AIIMS.

On Monday evening (November 4, 2024), Food Processing Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Hajipur, Chirag Paswan also visited the hospital.

Known as Bihar Kokila, Supaul-born Ms. Sinha was famous in her native State and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh courtesy her folk songs sung on occasions like Chhath Puja and weddings.

Some of her popular tracks are “Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya”, “Kartik Maas Ijoriya”, “Dwar Chekai”, “Patna Se”, and “Koyal Bin”.

The singer had been battling multiple myeloma since 2017.

Irreparable loss to the music world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the death of Ms. Sinha, and said her demise is an irreparable loss to the music world.

In a post on X, he noted that her folk songs in Maithili and Bhojpuri were extremely popular.

Her songs on Chhath, a grand festival of faith, will echo forever, he added, conveying his condolences to her family members and admirers.