Bihar Kokila and Chhath Puja
People from Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh consider the Chhath Puja as the designated time for a family reunion.
They come back to their homes in villages of Purvanchal, Mithilanchal, Vajjika, Bhojpur, Magadh and parts which now form Jharkhand.
The Indian Railways and now even the airlines are fully aware and stretched to their limit in ensuring that people return home to celebrate this ancient festival.
The entire region echoes with devotional songs during this period. For decades, there has been one voice resonating from loudspeakers and microphones all over.
That voice has been of Sharda ji’s voice. A voice that has become Synonymous with Chhath Puja.
A voice that rings in the festival one has been looking forward.Sharda Sinha was born on 01 Oct 1952, only sister among nine siblings, in the village of Hulas of Raghopur block of Supaul district in Bihar.
She studied in Magadh Mahila College, Patna and later joined Mithila University. She was married to Shri Braj Kishore Sinha of Sihama village in Begusarai District of Bihar.
Sharda Sinha became an Bihari folk singer and classical Indian singer. She mostly sang in Maithali, Bhojpuri and Magahi language and soon became famous as BIHAR KOKILA.
She hassung numerous folk songs including Vivah geets and Chhat Puja Geets. She has also sung in Hindi. In her entire career, she has sung 62 Chhath songs in nine albums released by T-Series, HMV 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.” 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.
The Padma Bhushan India’s third highest civilian award, came on the eve of Republic in 2018.
Her star performance was when the PM of Mauritius Shri Navin Ramgoolam had come to Bihar. Sharda Sinha had also lent her voice to a few very hit Hindi film songs, like “Kahe Toh Se Sajna” from Maine Pyar Kiya, whose debut lead Salman Khan became a super star.
“Taar Bijli” from critically acclaimed Gangs of Wasepur part2, “Kaun Si Nagaria” from Chaarfutiya Chhokare and Nitin Neera Chandra’s Deswa.
Shri Brajkishore Sinha her husband died from a brain haemorrhage on30 September 2024 and 35 days later Sinha suffering from multiple myeloma since 2017, passed away on 5 November 2024.
Her last rites were performed on 7 November 2024 in Patna with full state honours.
