Renowned singer Sharda Sinha, who breathed her last at AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday, will be cremated in Patna with full state honours on Thursday. Patna District Magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh said her mortal remains reached in the State’s Capital on Wednesday. “As per wishes of her family members, Sinha’s cremation will take place around 9 am on Thursday”, said Singh.

One of the things that Sinha would be remembered for is her rendition of devotional songs meant for ‘Chhath’, the most popular festival of the state which, incidentally, falls on Thursday when the ‘Bihar Kokila’ will be consigned to flames.

Sinha’s mortal remains have been kept at her Rajendra Nagar house (near Kankarbagh) in Patna where her fans and well wishers will pay their last respects to the popular folk singer. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced cremation with full state honours for Sinha, a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.

Kumar visited Sinha’s house on Wednesday afternoon to pay last respects to the departed soul. Besides, several VVIPs are also expected to visit the singer’s house to pay homage. Union Minister and BJP national president J P Nadda is also expected to visit Sinha’s house on Thursday evening.

Sinha passed away on Tuesday night while undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. She was 72.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Sinha death and said, “Saddened at the demise of noted folk singer Sharda Sinha. Also known as ‘Bihar Kokila’ due to her melodious voice, her songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magadhi languages will always be remembered. I express my sincere condolences to her bereaved family, friends and fans”.

Renowned singer Sharda Sinha’s son, Anshuman, on Thursday expressed his wish for his late mother to be considered posthumously for the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country.

Prominent cinema personalities Anurag Kashyap, Manoj Bajpayee, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, and Sonu Nigam were amongst others who condoled the death of Sharda Sinha, fondly called ‘Bihar Kokila’ by her fans.

The Padma Bhushan recipient lent her voice to songs prominently in Maithili, Bhojpuri and Magahi languages such as “Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya”, “Ho Deenanth”, “Dwar Chekai”, and “Patna Se”, but had also sung Hindi film songs like “Taar Bijli” (“Gangs of Wasseypur”), “Kahe Toh Se Sajna” (“Maine Pyar Kiya”), and “Babul” (“Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”).

Production house Rajshri, which backed “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”, shared a condolence message on its social media page.  Born in Supaul in Bihar, Sinha became famous not only in her home state but also in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Popular playback singer Sonu Nigam said it was extremely saddening to lose “respected Sharda Sinha ji during the great festival of Chhath Puja”.

Bhojpuri actor and politician Ravi Kishan said without Sinha’s voice, every festival seemed empty, especially the festival of Chhath, which is why “chhati maiya” called her back during this time.  Former Bhojpuri actor and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, who on Tuesday visited the bereaved family after Sinha’s death at AIIMS-Delhi, shared a heartfelt post on the microblogging site.