Sharda Sinha

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Indian singer (1952–2024)

title: "Sharda Sinha" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1952-births", "2024-deaths", "hindustani-singers", "indian-women-classical-singers", "indian-women-folk-singers", "indian-folk-singers", "women-musicians-from-bihar", "singers-from-bihar", "recipients-of-the-padma-shri-in-arts", "people-from-supaul-district", "women-hindustani-musicians", "20th-century-indian-women-singers", "recipients-of-the-padma-bhushan-in-arts", "21st-century-indian-women-singers", "recipients-of-the-padma-vibhushan-in-arts"] description: "Indian singer (1952–2024)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharda_Sinha" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Indian singer (1952–2024) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]

FieldValue
nameSharda Sinha
imageSharda Sinha (cropped).jpg
captionSinha in 2018
other_namesBihar Swar Kokila
birth_date
birth_placeHulas, Bihar, India
death_date
death_placeNew Delhi, India
nationalityIndian
alma_materMagadh Mahila College, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Lalit Narayan Mithila University
occupationSinger, folk singer, classical singer
years_active19802024
spouse
children2
awards
::

| name = Sharda Sinha | image = Sharda Sinha (cropped).jpg | caption = Sinha in 2018 | other_names = Bihar Swar Kokila | birth_date = | birth_place = Hulas, Bihar, India | death_date = | death_place = New Delhi, India | nationality = Indian | alma_mater = Magadh Mahila College, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Lalit Narayan Mithila University | occupation = Singer, folk singer, classical singer | years_active = 19802024 | spouse = | children = 2 | parents = | awards =

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. She was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2018. 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 the village of Hulas of Raghopur block of Supaul district, Bihar 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.

Career

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/The_President,Shri_Ram_Nath_Kovind_presenting_the_Padma_Bhushan_Award_to_Dr.(Smt.)_Sharda_Sinha,_at_the_Civil_Investiture_Ceremony-II,_at_Rashtrapati_Bhavan,_in_New_Delhi_on_April_02,_2018.jpg" caption="Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Dr. (Smt.) Sharda Sinha, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi"] ::

Sinha started her career by singing Maithili folk songs. Apart from Maithili, Sinha sang in Bhojpuri, Magahi and Hindi. Prayag Sangeet Samiti organised Basant Mahotsava at Allahabad where Sinha presented numerous songs based on the theme of spring season, where the advent of spring was narrated through folk songs. She regularly performed during Chhath Puja festivities. 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.

In the songs – with lyrics such as Supawo Naa Mile Maai and Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya – Sharda urged 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.

"High-handedness of music companies and lack of good lyrics had kept me away all this while," Sharda told The Telegraph on 3 November 2016. "As these issues got addressed this year, I rendered my voice to the songs." It took 20 days to shoot the songs, which were released on Diwali.

The lyricist for Supawo Naa Mile Maai (5.57 minutes) is Hriday Narayan Jha and for Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya (6.57 minutes) both Shanti Jain and Sharda. Pahile Pahil... – produced by Neetu Chandra, Nitin Neera Chandra and Anshuman Sinha – was released under the banners of Swar Sharda (Sharda Sinha Music Foundation), Champaran Talkies and Neo Bihar. Supawo Na Mile Maai has been released under the banner of Swar Sharda and produced by Anshuman.

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, His Master's Voice and Tips. "Through these songs, I have tried my level best to save our rich culture and tradition," Sharda said. "There is a urban contemporary feel so that people can relate to it."

Filmography

Bhojpuri

  • Dumari Ke ho Phoolba - Piritiya (Album) - 1987
  • Kahe Toh Se Sajna - Maine Pyar Kiya (album) - 1989 (hindi movie)
  • Koyal Bin - Kekra Se Kahan Mile Jala - 1999

Hindi

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 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, the Padma Bhushan in 2018 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 2025.

References

References

  1. Sinha, Ragini. (15 November 2021). "शारदा सिन्हा बिहार की एक लोकप्रिय मैथिली गायिका हैं।". Dainik Jagran.
  2. Sharma, Aseem. (26 October 2024). "Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila admitted to Delhi AIIMS emergency ward". India TV.
  3. (2015). "Padma Awards". Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
  4. (26 January 2018). "Government announces recipients of 2018 Padma awards". [[The Times of India]].
  5. (4 November 2016). "This Chhath Puja song is making people so nostalgic, they want to go home". The Indian Express.
  6. (25 January 2025). "Padma Awards 2025: Sushil Modi, Sharda Sinha, PR Sreejesh in recipient list".
  7. (25 January 2025). "Padma Awards 2025: शारदा सिन्हा को मरणोपरांत पद्मविभूषण पुरस्कार, बिहार कोकिला के नाम से मिली थी पहचान". Zee News Hindi.
  8. "Padmashri Sharda Sinha interviewed by Lalit Narayan Jha". Mithila Mirror.
  9. Singh, Bhupinder. (6 November 2024). "Sharda Sinha passes away: How rich was the Bihar Kokila? A look into her net worth, career, family, and more". Indiatimes.
  10. (6 November 2024). "Veteran Folk Singer Sharda Sinha passes away in New Delhi; President & PM express grief". newsonair.gov.in.
  11. (6 November 2024). "पिता ने की थी 2 शादियां, 9 बच्चों में इकलौती बेटी थीं शारदा सिन्हा, अब मायके को लगा सदमा". ABP News.
  12. (22 March 2009). "Beauty of spring narrated through folk songs". [[The Times of India]].
  13. Manisha Prakash. (4 October 2003). "Music maestros add to Puja festivities". [[The Times of India]].
  14. (4 October 2003). "Puja euphoria reaches a crescendo". [[The Times of India]].
  15. Faizan Ahmad & Dipak Mishra. (19 February 2008). "Mauritius scholarship for two". [[The Times of India]].
  16. (August 2012). "A new brand of music in Gangs Of Wasseypur series – Times of India".
  17. (28 March 2010). "Sharda Sinha's performance at Bihar Utsav an instant hit". [[The Times of India]].
  18. "Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2: Music Review".
  19. Amit Bhelari. (4 November 2016). "Sweet and sour festive notes in the air – Sharda back with a bang after decade". [[The Telegraph (Calcutta)]].
  20. (6 November 2024). "Did you know? Sharda Sinha's first Bollywood song was "Kahe Tose Sajna" from Salman Khan's first big film?". The Times of India.
  21. "Sharda Sinha, popular Padma Bhushan Bihari folk singer, dies".
  22. Das, Ananya. (6 November 2024). "'Bihar Kokila' Sharda Sinha's top songs: From Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya to Hum Aapke Hain Koun's Babul". Hindustan Times.
  23. (5 November 2024). "From Chhath puja to Bollywood songs: Famous renditions that made Sharda Sinha a household name".
  24. (5 November 2024). "A tale of everlasting love: Sharda Sinha who could barely survive a month after her husband passed away". The Times of India.
  25. (6 November 2024). "Sharda Sinha's son Anshuman Sinha mourns his mom's death, shares details about her last rites: This is a shocker for all". Hindustan Times.
  26. (6 November 2024). "Sharda Sinha's moving Facebook post for late husband goes viral: Mai jald hi aaungi".
  27. (27 October 2024). "Renowned Singer Sharda Sinha On Life Support. She Lost Husband Weeks Back". NDTV.
  28. (5 November 2024). "Renowned Singer Sharda Sinha On Ventilator Support, PM Assures Help". NDTV.
  29. (5 November 2024). "Sharda Sinha: शारदा सिन्हा का 72 साल की आयु में निधन, दिल्ली के एम्स में ली अंतिम सांस". Amar Ujala.
  30. (7 November 2024). "Sharda Sinha's Last Rites To Be Performed With Full State Honours". NDTV.
  31. (5 November 2024). "Folk singer Sharda Sinha, voice of Chhath, dies at 72". The Hindu.

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1952-births2024-deathshindustani-singersindian-women-classical-singersindian-women-folk-singersindian-folk-singerswomen-musicians-from-biharsingers-from-biharrecipients-of-the-padma-shri-in-artspeople-from-supaul-districtwomen-hindustani-musicians20th-century-indian-women-singersrecipients-of-the-padma-bhushan-in-arts21st-century-indian-women-singersrecipients-of-the-padma-vibhushan-in-arts