Chhath Puja, celebrated from Saturday, October 25th to Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, is not only about rituals and fasting; it is also about music. The songs sung during this sacred festival carry deep devotion and connect generations. As families gather on the ghats, it is the sound of Chhath geet that fills the air, and at the heart of that sound is the voice of one living legend: Sharda Sinha, fondly known as the “Bihar Kokila”.
The Power of Chhath Songs
Chhath songs, sung mainly in Bhojpuri and Maithili, are an essential part of the festival. They are not just melodies but heartfelt prayers dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Every household preparing for Chhath Puja plays these geet, while devotees sing them at the riverbanks in groups.
Songs like “Kelwa Ke Paat Par Ugalan Suraj Mal Jhake Jhuke,” “Hey Chhathi Maiya,” “Ho Dinanath,” “Jode Jode Supawa,” and “Uthau Suruj Bhaile Bihaan” are inseparable from the festival. They describe devotion, gratitude, family bonds, and the natural beauty of dawn and dusk. Through these songs, younger generations learn about tradition in the most emotional way through music.
Sharda Sinha: The Voice of Chhath
For decades, the voice of Sharda Sinha has been the soul of Chhath Puja. Born in Bihar in 1952, she dedicated her life to Bhojpuri and Maithili folk music and brought it to national recognition. Her songs are not just listened to during Chhath, they have become the very identity of the festival.
It is no exaggeration to say that for many devotees, Chhath begins only when they hear Sharda Sinha’s voice. Her albums such as Aragh and her numerous recordings for T-Series and HMV have immortalised Chhath songs for generations. Her work has earned her many of India's highest civilian honors, including the Padma Shri (1991) and the Padma Bhushan (2018). These 7 role in preserving and promoting India's folk culture.
Through her singing, she also popularised the works of folk poets like Mahendar Misir, Bhikhari Thakur, and Vidyapati, giving new life to regional literature.
The Essential Sharda Sinha Chhath Playlist
For anyone new to Chhath music or wanting to revisit the classics, these songs are a perfect start. You can find these timeless gems on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
Kelwa Ke Paat Par: This iconic song beautifully describes the scene at the ghat, as the sun's rays appear over a banana leaf. It is a prayer of welcome to the Sun God.
Ho Dinanath: A heartfelt plea to Surya Dev, asking him to listen to the prayers of the devotees.
Jode Jode Supawa: This song details the offerings (like the soop or bamboo basket) that devotees carry, painting a vivid picture of the rituals.
Uthau Suruj Bhaile Bihaan: A morning arghya song, gently urging the sun to rise and accept the morning prayers of the waiting devotees.
Contribution Beyond Music
Sharda Sinha’s role was not limited to singing—she became a cultural ambassador of Bihar. While Bollywood often overlooked folk traditions, her Chhath songs brought Bhojpuri and Maithili music into every home, from Patna to Delhi, and even across oceans where migrants carried the festival spirit with them.
Her work earned her many awards, including the Padma Shri (1991), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2000), Padma Bhushan (2018), and posthumously, the Padma Vibhushan (2025), India’s second-highest civilian award. These honours underline her unmatched role in preserving and promoting folk culture.
Music as Memory and Identity
For migrants living away from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Sharda Sinha’s songs are more than devotional, they are a bridge to home. Her voice has comforted countless homesick hearts, reminding them of the ghats, the smell of thekua, and the warmth of community gatherings.
Even after her passing in November 2024, her music continues to echo every Chhath. Families still play her songs during the rituals, keeping her presence alive at every dawn and dusk of the festival.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Chhath songs are not just a form of music; they are cultural treasures. They teach us gratitude towards nature, respect for discipline, and the joy of community celebration. Thanks to artists like Sharda Sinha, these traditions have not only survived but flourished.
As Chhath Puja continues to grow in recognition across India and abroad, it is the music—the soulful geet that ensures the festival’s spirit remains pure and powerful. And at the heart of it all is Sharda Sinha, whose voice will forever be the sound of Chhath.