Sharda Sinha
The folk singer known as "Bihar Kokila", whose Chhath songs became part of the festival itself, honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan in 2025.
For millions of families, Chhath Puja is not complete without Sharda Sinha’s songs. She was named for the Padma Vibhushan in 2025, posthumously, in the field of art, from Bihar [2]. She had received the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Bhushan in 2018 [1][3].
Classical training, folk voice
Sharda Sinha was born on 1 November 1952 in Hulas village, Supaul district [3]. She trained in khayal under Pandit Raghu Jha and Pandit Sitaram Hari Dandekar, and in thumri and dadra under Panna Devi [3]. She held a master’s in classical music and a PhD, and trained in Manipuri dance [3].
A voice for four generations
Her first Maithili song, “Dularua Bhaiya”, came out in 1971, and her tribute to the poet Vidyapati in 1983 took her fame abroad [3]. Albums released between 1985 and 1989, including Chhathi Maiya, sold in record numbers for folk music in northern India [3]. Songs such as “Paniya Ke Jahaaj” and “Patna Se Baida” are still sung across four generations [3]. Admirers called her “Bihar Kokila”, the nightingale of Bihar [3].
She also sang for films including Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Gangs of Wasseypur 2 [3].
Sharda Sinha died on 5 November 2024 [3].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2018: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2025: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [3] Padma Awards 2025: citation for Sharda Sinha — Padma Awards, Government of India. Accessed 12 October 2026.
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