Sharda Sinha passes away: Popular folk singer dies at 72; PM Modi says ‘irreparable loss for music world’

Noted folk singer Sharda Sinha passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 72. She was undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi.

"Sharda Sinha expired at 9.20 pm due to refractory shock as a result of septicemia," PTI quoted an AIIMS official as saying. The legendary classical singer was famous for "Kartik Maas Ijoriya" and "Koyal Bin" folk songs and a number of Bollywood hits. The list of Bollywood favourites included "Taar Bijli" from "Gangs of Wasseypur- II" and "Babul" from "Hum Aapke Hain Koun". Sinha was also famous for her Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Maghahi songs.

Expressing condolences at the death of the musician, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi stated, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha ji. Her Maithili and Bhojpuri folk songs have been very popular for the last several decades.”

He added, “The echo of her melodious songs associated with the great festival of faith, Chhath, will always remain. Her demise is an irreparable loss for the music world. My condolences are with her family and fans in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!”

Last month, the singer was admitted to the intensive care unit of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), the cancer institute of AIIMS. Sharda Sinha was reportedly on ventilator support following a health complication related to multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also expressed grief over the demise of popular folk singer and issued a statement in this regard.

She was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award. She also received the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in 1991. The news of her death comes weeks after her husband's death who suffered a brain haemorrhage due to a fall.