Her songs echoed with the sounds of generations of folk singers who came before her, her voice earthy and imbued with the memory of home. Sharda Sinha, also called 'Begum Akhtar of Mithila', was the melody behind Chhath Puja and many a celebration in the region - and outside it too.

Renowned for her Chhath songs, Padma Bhushan awardee Sharda Sinha passed away on Tuesday at AIIMS, Delhi. Her condition had deteriorated on Monday evening, and she was placed on a ventilator.