'Extremely heartbreaking': Prez Murmu on passing of Pandwani singer Teejan Bai
New Delhi, July 5
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said that the passing of Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Pandwani singer Teejan Bai is "extremely heartbreaking", while adding that her "invaluable contributions" to India's cultural heritage will always be remembered.
Teejan Bai passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur on Sunday after battling a prolonged illness. According to the hospital officials, Teejan Bai breathed her last at 3.15 a.m. on Sunday. She had been undergoing treatment since May 27. Teejan Bai was suffering from severe lung infection, bloodstream infection (sepsis), and acute kidney injury.
Taking to X, President Murmu said, "The news of the demise of the renowned Pandavani artist Smt. Teejan Bai ji is extremely heartbreaking. With her powerful voice, commanding presence, and unique style of presentation, she brought the tales of the Mahabharata to life on stage."
"Through her exceptional talent, dedication, and years of rigorous practice, she brought recognition to Chhattisgarh's rich Pandavani tradition both in India and abroad. Her invaluable contribution to the dissemination of India's cultural heritage will remain memorable. I extend my deepest condolences to her loved ones and admirers," the President added.
The 70-year-old folk icon was widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of Pandwani -- a Chhattisgarh-based folk singing style involving narration of tales from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.
Born in 1956 in Ganiyari village near Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, Teejan Bai rose from humble beginnings to become an internationally acclaimed artist. She popularised Pandwani, a traditional folk art form of Chhattisgarh in which stories from the Mahabharata are narrated through powerful singing and dramatic performance.
Her unique style, marked by deep emotion and energetic delivery while seated on stage, brought this lesser-known folk tradition to the global stage.
Over her illustrious career, Teejan Bai received some of India's highest civilian honours, including the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2003, and Padma Vibhushan in 2019. She was also conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995 and several other prestigious recognitions for her immense contribution to Indian folk culture.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's heartbreaking indeed. She was a daughter of Chhattisgarh who made the entire nation proud. Pandwani is such a rich tradition but not many people know about it outside the region. Teejan Bai's efforts brought it to the world stage. Hope the government sets up a museum or cultural center in her memory to preserve this art form.
I'm not Indian but I came across her performances on YouTube a few years ago. Her storytelling was absolutely captivating—you didn't even need to understand the language to feel the emotion. What a remarkable artist. Rest in peace, Teejan Bai.
I wish more young people knew about artists like her. Instead of watching TV shows, we should encourage our kids to see these performances—they carry real culture. My grandmother used to play her recordings at home. Today, I'm going to revisit those songs. 🕊️
Extremely sad news. Padma Vibhushan is well deserved but we need to do more to support folk artists while they are alive. Many of them struggle for recognition and financial stability. Maybe the government can set up a fund for folk artists so they don't have to die in obscurity. Just my two cents.
Rest in peace, Teejan Bai ji. 🙏 I'm from Tamil Nadu and I first heard Pandwani during a cultural exchange program—it was mind-blowing. She truly was a bridge between different parts of India. Her passing is a huge loss for our cultural heritage.
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