Sharda Sinha, the voice of Chhath Puja songs, in critical condition; PM Modi in contact with doctors

Sharda Sinha

The health condition of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha, who is currently receiving treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, remains critical, according to her son on Tuesday.

Sinha is beloved for her iconic folk songs like "Kartik Maas Ijoriya" and "Koyal Bin," as well as her Bollywood hits such as "Taar Bijli" from Gangs of Wasseypur II and "Babul" from Hum Aapke Hain Koun.

In a post on X, AIIMS said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring Sinha's condition and has prayed for her speedy recovery.

Sinha, a Padma Bhushan recipient synonymous with folk songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Maghahi languages, is on ventilator support following a health complication due to multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

The 72-year-old singer was admitted to the intensive care unit of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), the cancer institute of AIIMS, last month.

Sinha's son Anshuman Singh said his mother is "fighting for her life".

"Sharda ji is currently on ventilator and the situation is critical. I have spoken to the doctors and they say the danger persists... The challenge for doctors has increased but there is whole team of doctors is working hard... We want to fight till the end and win this. But now it is god's will. Sharda ji is fighting a huge battle.

"I am requesting everyone to pray for her... The devotees of Chhat Puja should include her in their prayers so that we can bring her home," he told PTI.

He also updated fans on the singer's heath in a YouTube live where he debunked fake news reports of her death circulating on social media.

"Doctors are trying their best. We pray that she comes out of this. This is a difficult time, please pray for us," Singh said in the video shared on Sinha's official YouTube channel on Tuesday.

In its post on X, AIIMS said: "Noted folk singer, Smt. Sharda Sinha is admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi for treatment. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji is continuously monitoring her condition and is in direct contact with the treating doctors. He has conveyed his prayers for her good health and speedy recovery through the treating team." Later in the day, Union minister Giriraj Singh visited the ailing artist at AIIMS.

"Reached AIIMS Delhi to get information about Sharda Sinha ji's health and met her family members and doctors. I pray to Mahadev for her speedy recovery," Singh, a Lok Sabha MP from Bihar's Begusarai, said in a post on X.

On Monday evening, Food Processing Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Hajipur, Chirag Paswan also visited the hospital.

Known as Bihar Kokila, Supaul-born Sinha is famous in her native state and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh courtesy her folk songs sung on occasions like Chhath Puja and weddings.

Some of her popular tracks are "Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya", "Kartik Maas Ijoriya", "Dwar Chekai", "Patna Se", and "Koyal Bin".

Sinha's credits include Bollywood songs such as "Taar Bijli" from "Gangs of Wasseypur- II", "Babul" from "Hum Aapke Hain Koun" and "Kahe Toh Se Sajna" from "Maine Pyar Kiya".

The singer has been battling multiple myeloma since 2017.