Who is Sharda Sinha? Padma Bhushan awardee ‘Bihar Kokila’ who took folk music to global recognition

Veteran folk singer Sharda Sinha is currently battling for her life in AIIMS Delhi and her situation has turned seriously critical. Her son Anshuman Sinha went live earlier today (November 5) and revealed that it is a situation of life and death for her right now and requested everyone to pray to Chhathi maiyya (a goddess worshipped during the festival of Chhath which is underway).

Who is Sharda Sinha?

Born in Bihar’s Hulas on October 1, 1952, Sharda Sinha is a folk and classical singer who is known for taking her regional music to a global stage. She is popularly known as Bihar Kokila (cuckoo of Bihar) and sings primarily in Maithili and Bhojpuri. She was?first honoured with Padma Shri in 1991 followed by Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2018.

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Sharda Sinha Chhath Puja songs

Also, a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, Sharda Sinha has become synonymous with Chhath Puja songs. For those who don’t know, Chhath is a festival celebrated primarily in parts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Nepal where devotees pray to the both setting sun and the rising sun for providing a circle of life. A goddess named Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped during this festival which happens to be the sixth form of Prakriti and Surya's sister.

During this time, Sharda Sinha songs are played unanimously across all houses on speakers and during the puja as well. Other than this Sinha has also sung several Bollywood songs like Kahe Toh Se Sajna in Maine Pyar Kia (1989), Taar Bijli in Gangs of Wasseypur 2, and Kaun Si Nagaria in Chaarfutiya Chhokare. Not just this, but a PhD in music, Sharda ji even taught music in several Bihar colleges.

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