Folk and devotional singer Maithili Thakur has spoken about the profound void left by the late folk legend Sharda Sinha as Chhath Puja approaches. Arriving in Patna, Thakur conveyed that Sinha’s absence will be deeply felt by the nation. “Not just me, the entire nation will miss her. Those from Bihar living outside India will also miss her. She connected the country with the emotion of Chhath, with just her voice,” Thakur stated.
Sharda Sinha, revered as the “Bihar Kokila,” was instrumental in popularizing Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music. The 72-year-old artist passed away on November 5, 2024, after a prolonged illness, specifically multiple myeloma. Her distinctive voice for the Chhath Mahaparv festival made her music synonymous with this significant cultural celebration. Sinha, who received the Padma Bhushan in 2018 and a National Film Award, dedicated her career to bringing regional folk music to a wider audience since the 1970s.
Meanwhile, Maithili Thakur’s arrival in the state capital has fueled speculation about her political aspirations. Sources indicate that she has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections from the Alinagar constituency in Darbhanga. The elections for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly are slated for November 6 and 11, with vote counting on November 14.