‘Her melodious songs of Chhath’: PM Modi mourns the demise of iconic folk singer Sharda Sinha | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Veteran folk singer Sharda Sinha, a beloved figure in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Hindi folk music, passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 72 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over her passing and honored her legacy and impact on Indian folk music, especially her contributions to the Chhath Puja festivities.
He shared a heartfelt tribute to Padma Bhushan singer on melodious songs associated with the great festival of faith, Chhath, will always remain. Her demise is an irreparable loss to the music world.

Sinha’s health was closely monitored after complications from multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. She had been on ventilator support in the intensive care unit of AIIMS Rotary Cancer Hospital and her condition worsened over the past few days.
AIIMS confirmed her death at 9.20 pm citing the cause as “refractory shock due to blood poisoning”.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also paid tribute to Sinha, whom he called “Bihar Kokila” (Bihar’s Nightingale).
He highlighted her impact on Maithili, Bajjika, Bhojpuri and Hindi music and remembered her as a cultural icon who brought folk traditions to the national stage. “Her melodious songs during the Chhath festival reverberate across the country, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,” he said, calling her demise an “irreparable loss” to Indian music.

Known for popular folk songs like “Kartik Maas Ijoriya” and “Koyal Bin”, Sinha was also known in Bollywood for her performances in Gangs of Wasseypur-II with “Taar Bijli” and “Babul” from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
Her death coincided with the beginning of Chhath Puja, a Hindu festival to which she was closely associated through her music, leaving a lasting legacy celebrated by fans from generation to generation.