Highlights
Sharda Sinha, a celebrated figure in Indian folk music is in critical condition, she is in ICU at AIIMS Hospital. The Padma Bhushan recipient, who lost her husband, Brajkishore Sinha, just weeks back, has suffered a major health crisis. Also fondly addressed as the ‘Bihar Kokila” Sharda Sinha has left millions of admirers and well-wishers worried over her present condition.
Who is Sharda Sinha?
Sharda Sinha is a leading Indian folk singer who gained popularity with her Folk songs like “Kahe Toh Se Sajna” and “Babul”. Originally from Bihar, she has played a major role in Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music to get a wider audience. She is not only into regional songs; she has also given her vocals in Bollywood and most recent track “Nirmohiya” in the series “Maharani Season 2” and the movie “Gangs of Wasseypur Part II”.
Sinha’s musical journey was not without challenges. She married in 1970, and her mother-in-law in particular did not like women performing in public. Although her husband Brajkishore Sinha was very much aware of her par excellence qualities in music, he encouraged her to follow her dreams against all odds. This support led her to sing devotional songs in the temple and this was a good middle ground which she could sing and also her family could support.
2 years since KK’s death: The health condition that took beloved singer Krishnakumar Kunnath’s life
Some Overview of Sinha’s Recent Challenges
Sharda Sinha’s health worsened sharply after her husband’s death due to a brain hemorrhage. As per sources, she does not take food or water, and her health situation deteriorated to the point where she had to be put on a ventilator in the ICU. Her son Anshuman updated on his youtube channel that she had been on the ventilator and asked the audience to pray for her. ‘It’s true, my mother is on ventilator. Keep praying. My mother is fighting hard. It’s very, very difficult. Just pray that she comes out of it. This is a real update. I just met her. May Chhathi Maiya save her. At the moment, when the doctors met, they said that the case has suddenly deteriorated. Everyone is trying’.
Honors and Accolades
Many people in India know Sharda Sinha for her great contribution to Indian music. She got Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2018 both awards are for her contribution to folk music of India. Sinha is known to sing in regional dialect more often, and hence her unique voice is now emblematic of rural Bihar culture making her a local sensation but more extensively popular than that, in India.
Sharda Sinha Dies at 72
Renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, popularly known as ‘Bihar Kokila’ and known for singing Chhath and Bhojpuri folk songs died at Delhi’s AIIMS on Tuesday. She has been battling with multiple myeloma – a type of blood cancer – for several years and was 72 years old when she died.
Suffering from cancer, Sinha faced much more than cancer because only a few months before she lost her husband. She leaves behind a son and daughter, a grieving family whose lives were shared with a woman who became a cultural icon. After she was admitted last month and was being treated at AIIMS’ Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, she was on ventilator support in the ICU. After being informed of her condition, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the demise of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha ji. Her Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs have been popular for many decades. “The echo of her melodious songs connected with the great festival of Chhat will always be there. Her demise is an irreparable loss to the music world. My condolences to her family and fans in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” the PM posted.
“Sharda Sinha expired at 9.20 pm due to refractory shock as a result of septicemia,” an AIIMS official said.
Home Minister Amit Shah echoed these sentiments, lauding Sinha’s unparalleled impact on Indian music.“Sharda Sinha ji, famous as Bihar Kokila, made Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs popular among the masses…her voice will definitely make the devotees even more emotional on this great festival of Chhath,” he posted.