Sharda Sinha
Sharda Sinha 
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| Sinha in 2024 | |
| Born | 01 October 1952 |
| Birthplace | Hulas, Bihar, India |
| Died | 05 November 2024 (aged 72) |
| Place of death | New Delhi, India |
| Resting place | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Singer, folk singer, classical singer |
| Years active | 1980–2024 |
| Known for | Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs, Chhath devotional songs |
| Notable works | "Supawo Naa Mile Maai", "Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya", "Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugalan Suraj Mal Jhake Jhuke", "Taar Bijli" (Gangs of Wasseypur 2) |
| Awards | Padma Shri (1991), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2000), Padma Bhushan (2018), Padma Vibhushan (posthumously, 2025) |
| Spouse(s) | Brajkishore Sinha (m. 1970; died 2024) |
| Children | Anshuman Sinha, Vandana Sinha |
| Parents | Sukhdev Thakur |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | |
Sharda Sinha was an acclaimed Indian folk and classical singer from Bihar. Known as the “Bihar Kokila,” she was well-known for her devotional Chhath songs and sang mostly in Maithili and Bhojpuri. For her contributions to Indian music and culture, she was awarded India's highest civilian honors, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and, posthumously, the Padma Vibhushan.
Early Life & Education
Sharda Sinha was born on 1 October 1952 in Hulas village, Supaul district, Bihar, into a Bhumihar family.[1][2] Out of Sukhdev Thakur's nine children, she was the only daughter. At a young age, she started singing Maithili folk songs, and over time, she added Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Hindi to her repertoire. She became well-known early on thanks to occasions like Allahabad's Basant Mahotsava.
Career
Sinha was renowned for her folk and devotional music. She performed extensively during Chhath Puja festivals and at cultural events in India and abroad. She also performed in Hindi and Bhojpuri movies, such as "Taar Bijli" (Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2) and "Kahe Toh Se Sajna" (Maine Pyar Kiya). She contributed to the preservation and popularization of traditional Bihari music by releasing nine albums with 62 Chhath songs over her career.
Notable Works
Among Sharda Sinha's most well-known compositions are her vast repertoire of Chhath songs, which includes Hey Chhathi Maiya, Supawo Naa Mile Maai, Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugalan Suraj Mal Jhake Jhuke, and Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya. She provided vocals for folk and devotional albums that are still essential to Bihar's cultural celebrations. Additionally, she helped make Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music more well-known both domestically and abroad.
Filmography
- Bhojpuri - Dumari Ke ho Phoolba - Piritiya (1987) - Koyal Bin - Kekra Se Kahan Mile Jala (1999)
- Hindi - Kahe Toh Se Sajna – Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) - Babul – Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) - Taar Bijli – Gangs of Wasseypur 2 (2012) - Kaun Si Nagariya – Chaarfutiya Chhokare (2014)
Personal Life
Sharda Sinha married Brajkishore Sinha in 1970. They had two children, a son Anshuman and a daughter Vandana.[3] Her husband passed away in September 2024.[4]
Death
Sharda Sinha battled multiple myeloma from 2017 and passed away on 5 November 2024 in New Delhi at the age of 72.[5] Her last rites were performed in Patna with full state honours.[6]
Awards and Recognition
Sharda Sinha won many awards during her career, including the Padma Shri in 1991, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, the Padma Bhushan in 2018,[7] and was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2025.
External Links
See also
- [[ ]]
References
- ↑ Padmashri Sharda Sinha interviewed by Lalit Narayan Jha . In Mithila Mirror . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ Sharda Sinha passes away: How rich was the Bihar Kokila? A look into her net worth, career, family, and more, by Bhupinder Singh . In Indiatimes (6 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ Sharda Sinha's son Anshuman Sinha mourns his mom's death, shares details about her last rites: This is a shocker for all . In Hindustan Times (6 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ A tale of everlasting love: Sharda Sinha who could barely survive a month after her husband passed away . In The Times of India (5 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ Sharda Sinha: शारदा सिन्हा का 72 साल की आयु में निधन, दिल्ली के एम्स में ली अंतिम सांस . In Amar Ujala (5 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ Sharda Sinha's Last Rites To Be Performed With Full State Honours . In NDTV (7 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025
- ↑ Folk singer Sharda Sinha, voice of Chhath, dies at 72 . In The Hindu (5 November 2024) . Retrieved 25 October 2025