Sharda Sinha’s musical journey: Mother-in-law opposed her singing and insisted on bhajans at home

Latest update:November 06, 2024 11:35 IST

After marrying Braikishore Sinha from Begusarai, Sharda Sinha faced opposition from her mother-in-law due to her singing. Despite resistance, she stood her ground and eventually won recognition from her relatives.

Sharda Sinha said her mother-in-law even refused to eat for three to four days in protest when she chanted at a local temple. (News18, Hindi)

Padma Bhushan awardee Sharda Sinha, known for her contributions to Maithili, Bhojpuri and Hindi music, has passed away. She was 72 years old and had been ill for the past 11 days. She was put on a ventilator on Monday after which she died on Tuesday evening, the day of the Nahai Khai Chhat festival.

Sinha’s musical legacy includes iconic songs like “Kahe tose sajna, ye tohari sadaniya…” And “Pahile Pahil Chhati MayaFrom the very beginning, as a daughter-in-law in Diyara village, Begusarai, she gained fame as “Bihar Kokila” and this journey was made possible by the support of her father and husband. Her health condition worsened after the death of her husband Brij Kishore Sinha in 2023.

Sharda Sinha was born on October 1, 1952 in Khulsa in Supaul district of Bihar. She was the daughter of Sukhdev Thakur, an education officer of the Government of Bihar. Sinha loved to sing and dance since childhood.

In the conversation, she mentioned that her father’s unwavering support played an important role in her progress; without him she would not have flourished. Recognizing her passion for dance, he took it upon himself to teach her Manipuri dance.

Sharda Sinha’s father recognized her innate musical talent. Her passion prompted her father to enroll her in the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Kendra.

During a conversation with Lallantop, she revealed that her musical journey began in 1971 with a song from the film Nek. Her debut performance took place at her older brother’s wedding, where she sangDwar ke chhekai neg, pahle chukaye ae dulerua bhaiya‘.

Sinha married Braikishore Sinha, a resident of Sihama in Diara area of ​​Begusarai. About five years ago, in an interview, Sinha revealed that her mother-in-law was not happy with her singing after marriage. However, Sinha refused to give up her passion.

In an interview, Sinha said, “There were objections at my in-laws’ house about my singing. My talent would have remained even behind the veil, but I fought for it. It was because of my struggle that my relatives agreed to my singing.”

Her mother-in-law initially stipulated, “Singing bhajans at home is fine, but singing beyond that is unacceptable. If the daughter-in-law of this house does not sing and play on the street, then you will not sing either.”

Sinha said that just five days after her marriage, the village head told her father-in-law, “Your daughter-in-law sings very well. Tell your daughter-in-law to sing bhajans at Thakurbari.”

After this, her father-in-law allowed her to sing bhajans, but her mother-in-law became furious. She asked her father-in-law, “Will the young bride go to the temple to sing bhajans?”

Sinha said that her mother-in-law even refused to eat for three to four days in protest. She tried to convince her mother-in-law, but she did not agree. Later, with her father-in-law’s permission, she sang the song. She started singing Tulsidas ji’s bhajan: “Mohe Raghuvar ki sudhi ayi…”

All the elders blessed her, but her mother-in-law became angry and did not eat for two days. Sinha said in a conversation that even after performing such a sweet bhajan, her mother-in-law remained determined. Her anger did not subside even when she was given a direct compliment. However, there was a slight shift in her behavior when others started praising her daughter-in-law’s singing.

Sinha said in an interview, “When people from outside praised me in front of my mother-in-law, she liked it too. Later, the moment came when I learned my mother-in-law’s songs from her mother-in-law. She told me I couldn’t do it. However, I studied and presented my singing and songs to the society.”

Sinha remembers her mother-in-law saying that in those days, wedding songs were sung in courtyards without loudspeakers.

“I took the sanskar songs out of the courtyard,” Sinha admitted, saying that at the time she did not realize the consequences of her actions. Yard songs emerged and became a wedding staple, and music gradually became a thriving industry. to the huge market it is today.

When Sharda Sinha’s mother-in-law’s anger subsided, she also became her guru, further developing Sharda’s talent. Sharda Sinha explained that her husband played a key role in softening his mother’s heart.

When people started praising Sharda’s singing, her mother-in-law’s anger gradually subsided. Sharda assured her mother-in-law, “I only want to sing traditional bhajans and wedding songs.”

Subsequently, the mother-in-law researched old folk songs, adapting them in her own style. Sharda Sinha highlighted the unwavering support she received from her husband Brij Kishore Singh, which allowed her singing journey to flourish.

Speaking about the public’s adoration in the same interview, Sinha said she was always overwhelmed by the undying love she received.