Sharda Sinha

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. In 2000, she received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to the field of music. Sinha was posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2025.

Early life Sinha was born on 1 October 1952 in a Bhumihar family. She was the only daughter among nine children of Sukhdev Thakur. Her in-laws' home is in Sihama village in Begusarai district. where the advent of spring was narrated through folk songs. She performed when the Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam came to Bihar.

Sinha performed at Pragati Maidan in the Bihar Utsav, 2010, New Delhi.

Sinha had also lent her voice to some Hindi film songs, including "Kahe Toh Se Sajna" from Salman Khan's debut film Maine Pyar Kiya, "Taar Bijli" from Anurag Kashyap's critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2, "Kaun Si Nagaria" from Chaarfutiya Chhokare and Nitin Neera Chandra's Deswa.

Chhath songs Sinha is known for her Chhath-related devotional songs. She came out with two new songs on Chhath after a decade in 2018. Her last album of devotional songs was released in 2006. Koyal Bin - Kekra Se Kahan Mile Jala - 1999

Hindi Babul - Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!(album) - 1994 Taar Bijli - Gangs of Wasseypur 2 - 2012

Personal life and death She married Brajkishore Sinha in 1970, with whom she had a son, Anshuman and daughter, Vandana. Husband Brajkishore died from a brain haemorrhage in September 2024.

Sinha suffered from multiple myeloma from 2017. On 5 November 2024, she was put on ventilator support at AIIMS Delhi. She died later that night, at the age of 72. Her last rites were performed on 7 November 2024 in Patna with full state honours.

Awards and recognition Sinha received numerous awards throughout her career, notably the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2018 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 2025.