Dhaka:Bihar Legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha's iconic Chhath song "Pahile Pahil Hum Kayin" has deeply resonated with audiences after its inclusion in the film "Vvaan: Forest of the Forrest," featuring Tamannaah Bhatia. According to United News of Bangladesh, for people in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath is more than a festival; it is a vital part of their cultural identity. Families gather for the four-day celebration, with Sharda Sinha's songs often playing a significant role in the festivities. "Vvaan: Forest of the Forrest," which stars Tamannaah Bhatia, Shweta Tiwari, Sidharth Malhotra, Sunil Grover, and Anup Soni, was released on September 25. Although the film received mixed reviews overall, the Chhath sequence featuring Sinha's song was highly appreciated by audiences. Some social media users had initially suggested that the Chhath song might have been more impactful in Bhojpuri. However, the filmmakers kept Sinha's song as a surprise element. Directed by Arunabh Kumar and Deep ak Kumar Mishra, the film features "Pahile Pahil Hum Kayin" in a scene with Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni preparing for the festival. Nishant Singh, a filmmaker from The Viral Fever, shared a video of the scene, expressing the powerful experience of hearing Sharda's voice in a theater. The scene stirred emotional reactions on social media, with users expressing sentiments ranging from goosebumps to nostalgia for childhood memories linked to the song. Sharda Sinha was celebrated as the "Voice of Chhath" and "Bihar's Kokila." She made significant contributions to Hindi, Maithili, Magahi, and Bhojpuri music, with her Chhath songs, especially "Pahile Pahil Hum Kayin," becoming integral to the festival. Sinha was honored with the Padma Shri in 1991, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. Born in Supaul district of Bihar, she also sang popular songs for films like "Maine Pyar Kiya" and "Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2." Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017, Sinha passed away in Novem ber 2024 at AIIMS Delhi, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy that continues to resonate with Chhath celebrations.
