In a chat with The Telegraph, “Bihar Kokila” Sharda Sinha talks about changes that have taken place in Chhath songs over the years and why she likes this festival the most.

• Do you agree that Chhath songs are losing their cultural feel?

Can’t say that all of them have lost the cultural feel but yes there are many Chhath songs which are soothing to the ears but they are like parodies. Even after listening to them, you won’t get the feel of Chhath, and it’s not at all okay. You can change the dhun (tune), you can change the words but then there is a particular style of singing Chhath songs. A singer should not change them so much. Lyrics also play an important part. The songs should be such that they invoke a divine feeling, but today’s Chhath songs are mostly loud and don’t go with the nature 
of the festival.

• These days there are Chhath songs to Bollywood tunes. What do you think of that?

My heart doesn’t accept this at all. Chhath songs set to Bollywood tunes are beyond imagination, at least for artistes of my generation, because Bollywood songs are set to fast beats. This should not be done to Chhath or any other devotional song. It fails to serve the purpose.

• Have Chhath song lyrics also changed over the years?

Earlier, Chhath songs used to describe things such as the fruits used in the festival, the devotee and how the festival is observed. The lyrics touched on the nitty-gritty of the festival but Chhath songs today hardly describe the 
festival. Instead, vulgar words are used, taking away the charm. 

So far as my Chhath songs are concerned, all of them are results of hours of hard work. I used to sit with the musician and discuss a lot before deciding on the lyrics. I am not saying that lyrics should not change with time. For example, we can include present-day issues like inflation. While at it, we should mention the hardships a devotee faces because of it (rising prices). We would also ask Chhathi maiya to shower her blessings on us, as we are praying to her despite the hardships we face. That’s how changes should be made to lyrics and the “bhava”.

• T-Series, Tips and other music companies are not releasing Chhath songs like they used to earlier. Why do you think this is so?

I had recorded a few Chhath songs for T-Series. Tips is more interested in recording film songs. Other companies, too, have not shown any interest in recording songs for Chhath. They all have their own issues but I seriously believe these companies should come forward to record Chhath songs. There is a huge market for them. Music companies just need to identify and work on it. There are good aartis (evening prayers), where the songs should be recorded and archived so that younger generations can hear them and know our legacy. Good artistes are also refraining from recording devotional songs because there have been instances when music companies have not paid them remuneration, but all this needs to change now.

• Which among the many Chhath songs you have sung is the most popular?

Kelawa ke paat par, Patna ke ghat par is my most popular Chhath song. One reason for that is people can relate to it. In Bihar, Patna’s Chhath has always been very popular. From the time we were children, we used to 
hear about Patna’s Chhath from our parents.

• Do you observe Chhath? What do you like most about this festival?

I don’t observe Chhath but I make it a point to give arghya (pay obeisance) to the Sun God during this festival. I give arghya to the setting and rising Sun with milk. In my family, my sister observes this festival. The whole family helps her perform the rituals. The best thing I like about Chhath is that we don’t require a pandit (priest) to perform the puja. Another good thing is there is no need to offer costly sweets to the Sun God. One has only to offer seasonal fruits. That apart, the Sun is the only god that is visible, unlike other gods. In this festival, we worship the 
Sun God. All these things make this festival so special for me.