Biography

Dr. Sharda Sinha (1 October 1952 - 5 November 2024) was an Indian folk and classical singer. Hailing from Bihar, she predominantly sang in Maithili and Bhojpuri language and is called Bihar Kokila, the cuckoo of Bihar. Sinha has sung many folk songs including "Vivah Geet", "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, on the evening of Republic Day in 2018. Sharda Sinha achieved the title of Nritya Visharad in Manipuri dance and held a master's degree in Indian classical music (vocal) along with a Ph.D. in her field. She received numerous awards throughout her career, notably the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. These honors recognized her significant contributions to Indian folk music and her impact on preserving and advancing traditional music forms in India.

Sharda Sinha, a folk singer synonymous with Chhath, came out with two new songs on Chhath after a decade in 2018. Her last album of devotional songs was released in 2006.

In the songs - with lyrics like Supawo Naa Mile Maai and Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya - Sharda is urging people to come to Bihar during Chhath. Other Chhath songs played during the festival include Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugalan Suraj Mal Jhake Jhuke, Hey Chhathi Maiya, Ho Dinanath, Bahangi Lachakat Jaaye, Roje Roje Ugelaa, Suna Chhathi Maai, Jode Jode Supawa and Patna Ke Ghat Par. Though old, the songs are relevant and devotees play them every year.

Sharda's last album on Chhath, Arag, had eight songs. In her entire career, she has sung 62 Chhath songs in nine albums released by T-Series, HMV and Tips. Sharda had also lent her voice to some Hindi film songs, like Kahe Toh Se Sajna in Maine Pyar Kiya, the movie in which Salman Khan made his debut. There are other songs by her in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Anurag Kashyap's critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur (part II), Char Footiya Chokre and Nitin Neera Chandra's Deswa.

Sinha was suffering from multiple myeloma since 2017. She passed away on Nov 5, 2024 at the age of 72, due to complications from blood poisoning.
- IMDb mini biography by: Dinesh Sudarshan Soi