Padma Bhushan recipient Sharda Sinha, known for her contributions to Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Hindi music, has passed away at the age of 72. Born on October 1, 1952, in Hulsa, Bihar, she was the daughter of Sukhdev Thakur, an officer in the education department of the Bihar government.
Sinha was fond of singing and dancing since childhood, and her father’s unwavering support was instrumental in her progress. He took it upon himself to teach her Manipuri dance.
Sinha’s notable songs include “Kahe tose sajnaa, ye toharee sajaniya…” and “Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya.” From her humble beginnings as a daughter-in-law in Diyara, Begusarai, she became popular as “Bihar Kokila,” thanks to her father and husband’s backing. She was not doing well after the death of her husband, Brij Kishore Sinha, in 2023.
Sharda’s father recognized her innate talent for music and enrolled her at the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Kendra. Her musical journey began in 1971 with a song from the film ‘Nek’. She had her debut performance at her elder brother’s wedding, where she sang ‘Dwar ke chhekai neg, pahle chukaye ae dulerua bhaiya’.
Sinha married Brajkishore Sinha, a resident of Sihama in the Diara area of Begusarai. About five years ago, Sinha revealed that her mother-in-law had not been happy with her singing after her marriage. However, Sinha refused to give up her passion.
In an interview, Sinha said that there was opposition in her in-laws’ house regarding her singing. However, she refused to give up her passion. Her mother-in-law initially stipulated that singing bhajans at home is fine, but singing beyond that is not acceptable. After her marriage, her father-in-law gave her permission to sing bhajans, but her mother-in-law was furious.
Sinha recalled her mother-in-law saying that in those days, wedding songs were sung in courtyards, not amplified by loudspeakers. She brought the songs of sanskar out of the courtyard, and gradually, music evolved into an industry.
When her mother-in-law’s anger subsided, she also became her guru, further nurturing Sharda’s talent. Sharda Sinha explained that her husband played a key role in softening his mother’s heart. As people began to praise her singing, her mother-in-law’s anger gradually diminished. She assured her mother-in-law that she wanted to sing only traditional bhajans and wedding songs.
Sharda Sinha emphasized the unwavering support she received from her husband, Brij Kishore Singh, which enabled her singing journey to flourish.
Sinha learned the songs of her mother-in-law from her mother-in-law, who told her that she would not be able to do it. Later, she learned and presented her singing and songs in front of society.
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Source: News18
