Singer Sharda Sinha posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan, her son accepts the award

Late singer Sharda Sinha awarded Padma Vibhushan

President Droupadi Murmu honoured folk music icon Sharda Sinha posthumously on Tuesday with India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan.

Her enormous contribution to the arts, especially folk music, was acknowledged with the award. On her behalf, her son accepted the esteemed award.

Sharda Sinha, affectionately referred to as the 'Bihar Kokila' (the Nightingale of Bihar), was renowned for her heartfelt performances in Hindi, Bhojpuri, and Maithili. Her devotional songs, particularly her well-known Chhath songs, helped her carve out a niche for herself and became an essential component of the festival's cultural fabric.

Listeners to her last release, "Dukhwa Mitaai Chhathi Maiya," were deeply moved and lamented her passing while simultaneously celebrating Chhath.

Due to complications from blood poisoning, Sharda Sinha died on November 5 at the age of 72. Her condition had taken a serious turn the day before, and she was put on a ventilator. She had been fighting multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. At Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), she passed away.

Sharda Sinha started her musical career in 1971 and is a talented and dedicated artist. She completed her doctorate in music at Lalit Narayan Mithila University after receiving her initial training at Magadh Mahila College and Prayag Sangeet Samiti. She received the Padma Bhushan in 2018 and the Padma Shri in 1991 for her accomplishments.

Her lovely voice also appeared in many popular films. She received a meagre ₹76 for singing "Kahe Tose Sajna" in Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989. Before leaving Bollywood, she also provided the voice of "Babul" in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Her mother-in-law's disapproval of her singing career, even when it featured devotional songs, was a contributing factor. But Sharda Sinha found support and strength in her father-in-law and husband.

Also Read: Before Fahadh Faasil, THIS actor was the original choice for Pushpa's Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, latter says 'Sukumar garu spoke to me first...'

With songs like "Bijli Se Patle" from Gangs of Wasseypur and "Kaun Si Nagariya" from Charfutiya Chhokre, the latter of which had lyrics by the renowned Bhikhari Thakur, she made a comeback to film music years later.

Sharda Sinha recorded 62 Chhath songs for nine albums during her storied career, which were distributed by labels like Tips, HMV, and T-Series. Generations of Indian folk musicians and music enthusiasts have been inspired by her timeless music, which carries on her legacy.