Renowned Indian folk singer Sharda Sinha, who also rendered voice in Bollywood songs, died on Tuesday evening after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 72.
The Padma Bhushan (one of India’s highest civilian awards) awardee was admitted to AIIMS Hospital in Delhi for treatment at the oncology department on October 25.
She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that affects the bone marrow, in 2017.
After her last hospital admission, Sinha was on a ventilator and died of refractory shock as a result of septicemia.
Hailing from Bihar, she predominantly sang in Maithili and Bhojpuri languages. She was called Bihar Kokila, the cuckoo of Bihar.
Sinha has sung many regional songs like “Vivah Geet” and “Chhath Geet”.
In 1991, she received the Padma Shri award for her contribution to music. She was awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2018.
Condoling her death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “The echo of her melodious songs associated with the great festival of faith, Chhath, will always remain. Her demise is an irreparable loss for the music world.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his grief, posting: “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Shrimati Sharda Sinha ji. She was a multi-talented folk singer who made Bhojpuri language popular among the masses. People will remember her songs for a long time. With her demise, the world of folk music has lost an influential voice. In this hour of grief, I express my condolences to her bereaved family and fans. Om Shanti!”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote: “Sharda Sinha ji, famous as Bihar Kokila, made Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs popular among the masses and kept mesmerizing the film world as a playback singer. The folk traditions of Purvanchal seem incomplete without her voice. On this great festival of Chhath, her voice will definitely make the devotees even more emotional.”
According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuously monitored her condition when she was admitted to AIIMS Delhi.
Besides Bhojpuri music, she has rendered her voice for her songs in Hindi films like Maine Pyar Kiya, and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
In Anurag Kashyap’s cult film, Gangs of Wasseypur, she sang the very popular track ‘Taar Bijli’.
