Sharda Sinha will play on, in death as in life

Popular Folk singer Sharda Sinha, celebrated for her soulful Chhath songs, breathed her last on day one of Chhath on Tuesday fighting cancer.

For millions, hers was the voice that tugged at the heart and called out Chhath, a festival dedicated to the sun god and the biggest in the region's cultural calendar. She always released a song during the festival and did so this year too notwithstanding her ill health.

Her songs echoed with the sounds of generations of folk singers who came before her, her voice earthy and imbued with the memory of home. Sharda Sinha, also called 'Begum Akhtar of Mithila', was the melody behind Chhath Puja and many a celebration in the region - and outside it too.

Sinha's voice became synonymous with the folk songs woven in the rich tapestry of everyday culture of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

A trained classical singer who effortlessly melded the folk in her many songs, Sinha was hailed as the voice of her people and often called 'Bihar Kokila'.