New Delhi: As I sit here, trying to put into words what Sharda Sinha meant to us, I realise just how deeply intertwined her voice was with my memories. More than just a folk singer, she was in fact the soul of Bihar. The voice that spoke of our joys, our traditions, and our faith. Her passing on the very first day of Chhath Puja hits harder than anyone could have ever imagined. It feels as though a piece of the festival itself has quietly faded away.
Growing up listening to her songs not just in Chhath Puja but during weddings was like a heartbeat in the background – steady and unwavering. Her voice would fill our homes, echoing in the alleys of Bihar’s remote villages.
Sharda Sinha: Bihar Kokila
Sharda Sinha wasn’t just the ‘Bihar Kokila’ or the Nightingale of Bihar; she was a motherly figure, a teacher, and a preserver of our heritage. Her voice was an anchor, grounding us to our roots no matter where life took us. When she sang Vivah Geet or Chhath Geet, it felt like she was singing directly to each one of us, reminding us of who we are. With notable accolades –Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2018—came recognition, but it never changed her simple, soulful presence. Even on stage, she wore her traditional attire with pride. Years ago, in an interview with the Telegraph, she revealed why she chooses to sing only folk songs.” Through these songs, I have tried my level best to save our rich culture and tradition,” she quipped.
Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugalan Suraj Mal Jhake Jhuke…. Clearly, Sharda Sinha was to Bihar, what Gurdaas Maan is for Punjab. Her voice was an invitation to come home, a call for Biharis scattered around the world to return during Chhath and reconnect. She urged us, reminded us, that we belong here, by the banks of the Ganga, watching the sun rise and set in devotion. For those who couldn’t be physically present, her songs offered a piece of Bihar in the truest sense.
Sharda Sinha passes away
Her passing on Nahaye Khaye, the very day when we prepare for the Chhath fast with such fervour and hope, feels like an irreplaceable silence has swept over Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It’s hard to imagine the festival this year without her songs carrying us through the puja rituals.
Bihar mourns today. Not just a singer, we’ve lost a part of our spirit, a voice that carried our culture, our identity. Sharda Sinha’s legacy is something that will live on, of course, but there’s a pain in knowing we’ll never hear her sing live again. The ghats will feel different this Chhath Puja, quieter as if Ganga Maiyya will be grieving along with millions of others.
