Remembering Sharda Sinha: A Legendary Folk Singer
In Patna, Bihar, MP Shambhavi Chaudhary expressed her sorrow over the passing of the legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha, stating that the Chhath festival feels incomplete without her music. Shambhavi, daughter of Ashok Chaudhary, shared her sentiments on Wednesday, highlighting the importance of Sinha’s songs during the festival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Sharda Sinha, acknowledging her significant contributions to Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music. He described her passing as an “irreparable loss” to the music world and noted that her melodious songs will continue to resonate forever.
Sharda Sinha, who was celebrated for her soulful Chhath songs, passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. She had been receiving treatment at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi since October 27. A veteran in the music industry since the 1970s, Sinha was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2018 and a National Film Award for her contributions to regional cinema.
Chhath Puja Celebrations
As the Chhath Puja festivities commenced, preparations for ‘Kharna’ prasad were underway at the residence of Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary. Shambhavi Chaudhary expressed her joy in participating in the festival, which is widely celebrated across Bihar.
In Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena declared a public holiday on Thursday for all government offices in observance of ‘Pratihar Shashthi’ or ‘Surya Shashthi’ (Chhath Puja). The four-day festival, dedicated to the Sun God, is celebrated in various Indian states and internationally, spanning from November 5 to 8 this year.
Doubts Revealed
Bihar MP -: An MP is a Member of Parliament, which means a person who is elected to represent the people of a particular area in the government. Bihar is a state in India, and Shambhavi Chaudhary is an MP from there.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, who is the Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the country and makes important decisions for the nation.
Folk Singer -: A folk singer is someone who sings traditional songs that are passed down through generations. These songs often tell stories about the culture and history of a place.
Sharda Sinha -: Sharda Sinha was a famous singer from India known for her songs in Bhojpuri and Maithili languages. She was especially popular for her Chhath songs, which are sung during a special festival.
Blood Cancer -: Blood cancer is a type of illness that affects the blood cells in the body. It can make a person very sick and is often difficult to treat.
Padma Bhushan -: Padma Bhushan is one of the highest civilian awards in India. It is given to people who have done exceptional work in their field, like arts, science, or public service.
Bhojpuri and Maithili music -: Bhojpuri and Maithili are languages spoken in parts of India, especially in Bihar. The music in these languages often reflects the culture and traditions of the people who speak them.
Chhath Puja -: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God. It is celebrated mainly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where people pray for health and happiness.
Lieutenant Governor -: A Lieutenant Governor is an official who represents the central government in a Union Territory in India. They have the power to make certain decisions, like declaring public holidays.