Folk singer Maithili Thakur has expressed that the upcoming Chhath Puja will feel incomplete without the presence of the late folk legend Sharda Sinha. Speaking in Patna after her arrival, Thakur highlighted how Sinha’s voice was intrinsically linked to the festival. “She connected the country with the emotion of Chhath, with just her voice. We all will miss her,” Thakur told reporters, noting that the entire nation and the global diaspora from Bihar would feel this void.
Sharda Sinha, fondly known as the “Bihar Kokila,” was a towering figure in Indian folk music, celebrated for her contributions to Bhojpuri and Maithili traditions. At 72, she succumbed to multiple myeloma on November 5, 2024, after a period of declining health. Her legacy is strongly tied to her powerful renditions of Chhath songs, which have become anthems for the Sun God worship festival. Sinha, a Padma Bhushan awardee, began her musical journey in the 1970s and achieved national acclaim for her art.
Separately, Maithili Thakur’s appearance in Patna has sparked significant political interest. She officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. Speculation is rife that she is being considered as a candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, with reports suggesting the Alinagar constituency in Darbhanga as a potential seat. Bihar will hold its assembly elections on November 6 and 11, with the results announced on November 14.