Bihar Folk Legend Sharda Sinha Laid to Rest with State Honors in Patna

Patna: Folk singer Sharda Sinha, celebrated as the voice of Chhath, was cremated today at Gulbi Ghat in Patna, as fans and family gathered to pay their respects. Sinha, who passed away at Delhi’s AIIMS on the first day of the Chhath festival on Tuesday, was laid to rest with state honors, with her son Anshuman lighting the funeral pyre. Mourners at the ghat chanted “Sharda Sinha Amar Rahe” (Long Live Sharda Sinha) and invoked “Chhathi Maiya,” reflecting her deep connection to the Chhath festival.

Sinha, known for popularizing Chhath songs, was instrumental in embedding her music into the cultural fabric of Bihar’s most revered festival. Her final song, “Dukhwa Mitai Chhathi Maiya,” recorded at AIIMS, played during her last journey—a poignant reminder of her legacy. The funeral procession began at her Rajendra Nagar residence in Patna, where her son and prominent political figures, including former BJP MP Ramkripal Yadav and MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, bore her bier. A large crowd of admirers also gathered to honor her.

Sinha’s husband had passed away just 45 days prior, and it was her wish to be laid to rest at the same ghat. BJP national president JP Nadda is expected to pay tribute to Sinha at her Rajendra Nagar home on Thursday evening.

Sharda Sinha, aged 72, leaves behind an indelible mark on the Chhath festival, her songs a source of comfort and devotion for millions.