Popular folk singer and ‘Bihar Kokila’, Smt.Sharda Sinha passed away on 5 November 2024. She was suffering from multiple myeloma and was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi, where she breathed her last. She was 72 years old.

Sharda Sinha, who was a household name in Bihar for her Chhath Puja songs, died on the first day of the Puja this year.

President Droupadi Mumru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other prominent personalities expressed grief over her demise.

Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha

Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha was born on 1 October 1952 in the Hulas village of Raghopur subdivision of the present-day Supaul district of Bihar. She started her singing career in 1971 with Akashvani (All India Radio).

Her songs, sung in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi dialects, based on the great festival of Chhath, Vivah Geet, and other rituals specific to Bihar, caught the public imagination, earning her the sobriquet of Bihar Kokila.

Sharda Sinha also sang about the life of the Girmitiya labourers, which became very popular in Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, and other places.

Girimitya are indentured labourers who, during British rule, left India to work in the sugar plantations of British colonies like Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, etc. The labourers were mainly from present-day Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Sharda Sinha was known for her melodious depictions of deities, gods, and goddesses in Vivah Geet. Even her love songs about newlywed couples are still admired by families and continue to enjoy high regard.

Sharda Sinha also sang songs in Hindi films, such as Kahe Toh Se Sajna in Maine Pyar Kiya, Taar Bijli in Gangs of Wasseypur 2, and Kaun Si Nagaria in Chaarfutiya Chhokare.

Awards for Sharda Sinha

Sharda Sinha was awarded India’s third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2018, fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in 1991 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

About multiple myeloma disease

Multiple Myeloma is a rare type of blood cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow are soft tissue found in human bones. Due to multiple myeloma, the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow causes cancer. The uncontrolled growth of plasma leads to a decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Red blood cells carry oxygen and transport it to the whole body, white blood cells help fight infections, and platelets help clot blood.

The reduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow causes anaemia, the reduction of white blood cells makes the body defenceless against infections, and a decrease in platelets can cause excessive bleeding in humans.

Infected cells produce an abnormal level of antibody called M protein, which can damage the kidneys and other organs of the human being.

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival that starts after six days of Diwali. It takes place on the sixth day of the Kartik month, which falls in October/ November.

The festival honours the Sun God and his sister, Chhathi Maiya.

The festival is observed in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nepal and all around the world, where there is a sizeable expatriate population of Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.